The big toe is a tough old brute and it needs to be. It needs to be because it is a workhorse, it is the part of our foot that leaves the ground last when we walk, run and jump. It has to be very strong to take this kind of weight day in and day out. However, this doesn’t mean that it can’t fall victim to problems and conditions and these are what we are going to have a look at today. If you have pain in your big toe and want to find out the possible cause of it, hopefully, this article will provide you with the information that you need.
Below, we are going to go through the symptoms of big toe pain so you know what to look out for. We will also have a look at some of the causes of the pain that you are in and finally, we shall discuss when it’s time to see the doctor. This article is intended to provide you with information about the conditions that can affect the big toe, it is not intended to provide you with methods of home treatment. If you think you have one of the conditions mentioned in this article, go and get checked out by your doctor. Failing to go to your doctor, may result in further complications from your condition.
The symptoms to look out for
Big toe pain can be the result of an underlying problem, which we will get to in just a little bit. These problems can have a lot of symptoms that you can see or feel, some of these symptoms include:
- Pain after rest
- Pain that comes and goes with activity
- swelling
- redness
- difficulty wearing footwear
- coldness in the toe
- stiffness in the joint
- bruising
Common causes of big toe pain
The underlying cause to your pain and discomfort is important. If you have bruising and swelling, for example, there is a good chance that you may have fractured your toe. If this is the case, take yourself down to A&E as quickly as you can. Also, if you notice discolouration or coldness in the toe, this may mean that you have a blood clot, once again, seek medical attention right away.
Some causes of big toe pain share symptoms so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is wrong. If you are unsure what you have done to your toe, make an appointment with a local foot specialist, who can examine your toe and send you for further tests if needed.
Some other common causes of big toe pain include:
- Ingrown toenail
- Gout
- Bunion
- Tendon and ligament inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bone Tumour
When to see your doctor
If you’ve already been told you have one of the more serious conditions on the list above, go and see your doctor. You may have already been told that pain in the toes is a common result from the condition that you have, however, that doesn’t mean that you have to live with the pain. If you think that you have one of the other conditions on the list above, once again, go and get it checked. A foot specialist will be able to offer you the treatment that you need.
Thank you for reading this article about big toe pain, if you found it helpful, please take a look at the other items on here for more information about the conditions mentioned above.