Toe Pain
Targeting the Source of Toe Pain
Targeting the source of toe pain is the first step in treating the pain and the underlying condition. Your pain may actually be the source of more than one condition, in which case it is especially important that the treatments begin as soon as possible. We are going to talk about a few of the most common conditions that cause toe pain as well as the subsequent treatments available for each.
An ingrown toenail is an extremely common cause behind toe pain. Most people have to suffer through at least one of these throughout their lifetime, and others less fortunate people suffer through recurrent cases of ingrown toenails. An ingrown toenail is exactly what it sounds like, a condition in which the nail of the toe grows abnormally into the skin. This causes the tissues surrounding the ingrown area to become red, swollen, and painful. An ingrown toenail can be caused by cutting the nail too short or by “shaping” the toenail rather than cutting it straight across. An ingrown nail can also be caused by wearing shoes that put too much pressure against the toes, forcing the nail to grow awkwardly.
In most cases of an ingrown toenail, the problem can be corrected by simply refraining from cutting the nail until it has had a chance to grow forward into proper position. One should also avoid wearing any shoes that may put pressure against the toes (flip flops or open sandals are great if the weather permits). If the pressure is particularly bad, the feet can be soaked in a warm bath with Epsom salt.
Bunions are another common cause behind big toe pain. A bunion is considered a deformity that affects the big toe. The top portion of the toe points toward the other toes while the base (near the joint) points outward as a large round knot. Over time the bunion can worsen as the toe continues to angle inward causing inflammation. The most common cause behind bunion formation is by wearing shoes that are too tight, forcing the big toe to grow inward. Shoes with a pointed toe, such as high heels and cowboy boots are especially notorious for squeezing toes together. Accidental injury and genetics can also play a part in the likelihood that a person will develop a bunion.
Treatment for a bunion usually involves switching to shoes with a wider toe area and very little slope. Anti-inflammatory medication may also help to relieve the inflammation around the bunion that is responsible for some or most of the pain. In particularly severe cases, these treatments may not work, making it difficult for a person to wear closed shoes and even making it hard to walk without pain. The usual remaining option is a surgical procedure in which the bone will be broken and then realigned with the hopes that it will grow back into the correct position.
Turf toe is a condition that primarily affects athletes who play sports on hard surfaces. The most common symptoms include pain at the base of the toe (where the ball of the foot is) and stiffness and swelling. This condition develops when an athlete repeatedly pushes off of the ground with the feet (such as when running) and jumping. The pain is caused by a tear of the “capsule” that surrounds the joint. If the tear is severe enough, or if it is not treated soon, the toe can become dislocated. The main treatment method used for turf toe is to get plenty of rest—that means elevating the foot so that the inflammation and swelling can go down. The joint needs to be given quite a lot of time to heal. Ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications can help get rid of the inflammation.