People who enjoy running may notice that they have developed pain in their big toe. This pain can cause difficulty when walking or running and can occur for various reasons. These causes may include the amount of force the joints in the big toe endure while running, in addition to how the heel strikes the ground. This can lead to your foot pronating, meaning the foot rolls inward to absorb the shock. This is followed by pushing off, and the weight of the body travels to the big toe. Some people may have bunions and they appear as a bony bump on the side of the big toe. Bunions often arise from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. People who run can experience increased toe pain if they are afflicted with a bunion. It is suggested that the shoes worn fit correctly for the style of running that is desired, and this may help to reduce toe pain. If you would like more information about why toe pain occurs, in addition to learning about effective prevention methods, please consult with a podiatrist.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Mark Gagnon of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
- Trauma
- Sports injury
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Corns and calluses
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Blisters
- Ingrown toenails
- Sprains
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
- Severe pain
- Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
- Signs of infection
- Continued swelling
- Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Crestwood, Orland Park, and Summit, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
