Is your big toe hurting? Experiencing discomfort in your foot can be incredibly frustrating, preventing you from walking and impacting your day-to-day life. Despite their small size, toes play an incredibly important part in how our foot functions, carrying the vast majority of our body weight. So experiencing discomfort can make for a bad day.
However, what could be causing your big toe to hurt? There are many different things that could be causing your discomfort, which is why we thought we would take a closer look at some of the most common disorders. Here are five reasons your big toe might hurt:
Bunion
One of the most common causes of why your big toe is hurting is a bunion, which usually occurs alongside a condition called hallux valgus. A bunion is a large knobbly bump that forms around the joint of the big toe. Over time, this can cause severe discomfort and even cause the big toe to change position.
If left untreated, a bunion can cause major irritation and deformity that could prevent you from moving your foot as designed. Thankfully, there are many methods of treating a bunion and easing the discomfort it causes, including:
– Changing shoes
Ditching those tight-fitting shoes and high heels can transform the discomfort you feel. Flat and more stretchable shoes can create more space around the big toe, reducing the pressure on it when you walk.
– Protect it
Adding a bunion pad can also help to prevent rubbing and irritation when walking and wearing shoes.
– Take medication
Anti-inflammatory medication can also help to reduce the effects of a bunion, but it is always worth consulting with a doctor before taking it.
– Cold compress
Another great tip for reducing the discomfort of a bunion is to apply a cold compress to your big toe after exercising or long walks.
If your bunion continues to cause your big toe to hurt, then you should consult a doctor who specializes in feet. They will be able to help with creating orthotic inserts to support your toe or even recommend a surgical procedure to reposition your toe and remove the bunion.
Arthritis
Arthritis is often the most common reason why your big toe is hurting. As the tissue between bones begins to break down, it causes inflammation and irritation as the bones rub together. Osteoarthritis in your big toe can develop over time as you age, but it can also be caused by issues with the structure and functionality of your foot, which can cause excessive wear on your joints.
Osteoarthritis can also occur following trauma to the foot, such as dislocation or a fracture to the big toe. Of course, it is not just osteoarthritis that can cause your big toe to hurt; psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis can also impact the joints in your feet.
Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in the big toe include severe discomfort, a feeling of grinding when you move it, stiffness, and inflammation. This can occur at any time, but typically when standing, walking, or putting weight on the toe.
There are various methods of treating arthritis in the big toe, including:
– Medication
Taking supplements or pain medication can help to reduce inflammation and discomfort within the joint.
– Shoes
Changing your shoes to ones that offer more support and flexibility while walking can also help to reduce the pressure on your joints.
– Surgery
On rare occasions, should the arthritis lead to hallux valgus deformity occurring, then surgery may be required to remove the bone spurs.
– Physical therapy
Physical therapy on the foot and joints can also help to reduce stiffness and inflammation as well as relieve discomfort.
Gout
Gout can be another very common cause of big toe pain and can directly impact the joint between the toe and foot. The condition occurs when uric acid, the waste product produced when the body breaks down purines found in certain foods, builds up in the blood. This build-up then forms into crystals which are then deposited in the joint, creating redness, inflammation, and severe discomfort.
The condition can come in waves, and it can be months or even years in between attacks. However, if left untreated, the attacks will become more frequent and intense, causing irreparable damage to the joint.
Gout can be difficult to diagnose and typically requires a blood test to determine the levels of uric acid within the body. However, it can be very easy to treat the condition, with the most common methods including:
– Medication and steroids
Taking medication and using prescribed steroids can help to reduce the discomfort and build-up of uric acid, lowering the symptoms of the condition.
– Losing weight
Obesity is a significant contributor to gout and can lead to an increased number of attacks.
– Changing your diet
Alongside losing weight, changing your diet can also reduce attacks of gout. This includes cutting back on red meat, alcohol, and foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup while adding more wholegrain and low-fat dairy into your diet.
Sesamoiditis
Another common cause of your big toe hurting is sesamoiditis. This occurs when the tiny bones near the joint, called sesamoids, become inflamed and sore. Sesamoiditis can occur in anyone and is often caused by high-impact activities such as basketball, dancing, and gymnastics.
Fracturing the sesamoid bone can also lead to severe discomfort around the big toe, particularly in the joint area and the ball of the foot. The most common methods of treatment include:
– Rest
Rest and taking the weight off your foot is the best way to reduce the inflammation and pain.
– Shoes
Hard-soled shoes or rocker-bottom shoes can help to reduce the symptoms and relieve the pressure on the bones.
– Cast
In severe cases, a doctor may recommend wearing a cast or even surgery to repair the bones.
Turf Toe
Turf Toe is a very common sports injury and can cause severe pain in the joints of the big toe. The injury often occurs in athletes who play on artificial turf and occurs when the toe experiences an intense force from pushing off while running.
Depending on its severity, individuals can experience discomfort, inflammation, swelling, and discoloration around the joint. Treatment is very similar to sesamoiditis and, alongside rest, placing ice on the joint can help to relieve the symptoms.
Looking for support for your joint pain?
Is your big toe hurting? If you are experiencing arthritis in your toe, then JointFuel360 is here to help you. Our unique all-natural supplement has been created by Jupiter Laboratories and has been scientifically proven to help alleviate discomfort, reduce inflammation, and improve the flexibility of your joints.
Capable of providing long-term relief, our powerful joint supplement is able to target joints across the body, with users noticing improvements in as little as seven days. Suitable for both men and women of all ages, and is completely drug-free.
So, if you find that arthritis is causing you significant discomfort and stiffness while completing daily activities, then find out how JointFuel360 can help you to get moving again.
