Pain in the toe
introduction
Pain in the toe can have many causes and usually occur during or after exercise.
Often diseases are the bone, Tendons or Joints responsible, occasionally pain in the toe but also other causes such as gout or Inflammation of the nail bed to have.
Some causes and common clinical pictures are shown below.
Wrong footwear
Often times, toe pain occurs after prolonged walking. This can be due to incorrect footwear, which forces the foot into an unnatural position or does not fit properly.
If there is pain in the toe, it should be checked whether the shoes you are wearing give your toes enough space.
Especially with sports shoes, the toes often bump, as the foot can slide forward during movements such as abrupt stopping in the shoe.
Also read our article about Burning toes!
Illustration ankle pain
Foot pain
- Achilles tendonitis /
Achilles tendon rupture - Broken bones - toes,
Metatarsus, tarsus
(here outer ankle fracture) - Ligament stretch / torn ligament
at the ankle - Lower and upper heel spurs
Calcaneus spur - Hammer toe and claw toe
(Deformities of the toe bones)
Digitus malleus - Plantar warts
Verrucae plantares - Hallux valgus -
(Deviation of the big toe
in the base joint) - Hallux rigidus -
(Joint wear of the
Metatarsophalangeal joint) - Inflamed nails / nail fungus
- Osteoarthritis / arthritis -
degenerative change of
Joints / inflammation of the joints
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)
Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by diseases of the foot. In some cases, the cause of the foot discomfort cannot be identified at first.
Therefore, the treatment of the foot (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of foot diseases.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
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60311 Frankfurt am Main
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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
arthrosis
Not only can osteoarthritis occur in large joints like knees or hips, but it also manifests in smaller joints.
The big toe is usually affected by the toes, with the metatarsophalangeal joint being the most severely affected. Symptoms are pain in the affected toe, and there is also stiffness of the joints, which is why this clinical picture also occurs Hallux rigidus (lit. stiff big toe) is called. If there is osteoarthritis in the toes, insoles should be made that relieve the affected joints and thus lead to pain relief. If this is not enough, surgery is an option. Here the affected joint is stiffened, which is hoped for a subsequent freedom from pain. However, it will take a few weeks after the operation until you can run smoothly and painlessly again.
Broken toe
A broken toe is a very common injury and usually occurs as a result of a large amount of force, such as dropping a heavy object on your toe or bumping your toe. The toe hurts from pressure and movement.
Of all the toes, the little toe is the most likely to break. Usually the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe is affected by the bone fracture.
It should be clarified whether the broken bone has shifted because it cannot then grow back together properly. This is done with an X-ray. If the bone is not displaced, the toe can be splinted and grow back together by itself. If there is a shift, an attempt is made to manually bring the bone pieces back into the correct position. If this does not succeed, the fracture must be operated on to restore the correct bone position.
Pain in the tendon
End at the toes different musclesthat for the diffraction (Plantar flexion) or Elongation (Dorsiflexion) of the toes are responsible.
The long and short toe flexors needed, in the case of the big toe, the so-called Big toe flexors. For the stretch are long and short big toe extensors and long and short toe extensions responsible for the remaining toes. Pain in this area can go through Torn tendons of these muscles, mostly caused by accidents. This can be done with strong elongation or diffraction also the bone affect. Typical Symptoms are a lack of flexion or extension in the joint and Pain in the toe, moreover often Swelling or a bruise.
The is a special form of pain in the toe hallux valgus the big toe. Here the flexor tendon exerts ever greater tension on the toe, so that it deviates in the direction of the other toes and causes more and more discomfort over time.
Swollen toe
A swollen toethat hurts can various causes to have. There is swelling and pain without trauma on, it can be gout or the first symptoms of rheumatism act. This mainly affects the big toe. Clarification by a doctor makes sense. In the acute situation you can Pain relievers, cooling and elevation help.
Is a trauma if it occurs through a bump, bruise or similar, the toe can swell as a result and cause severe pain. Whether it is a bruise is or is one fracture, through targeted investigation like a Functional test or one X-ray image be clarified. Again, it makes sense to use the Toe to cool and high to store. Often conservative measures such as immobilization by a bandage can be used Operation is only in exceptional cases necessary.
In rare cases can a Dislocated toe too be. Here it comes to severe pain, Loss of function the toe and abnormal toe positions. In this case, closed repositioning can often be attempted, i.e. the attempt to "straighten" the toe again by pulling on the toe. If this is not possible, an operative approach must be considered.
For more information, read on here: Swollen toe
Toenail pain
Common causes for toenail pain Inflammation of the nail bed and Nail fungus. Inflammation of the nail bed is caused by poorly fitting footwear, incorrect cutting of the nailsso it too Injuries or ingrowths to the toenail comes or through Sports injuries evoked. Here are mostly Nail wall, the Nail bed or the Nail fold reddened and very painful, swollen and tender. Diagnosis is made at first sight and treatment consists of immobilization and application of certain Ointments or creams.
Nail fungus is typically shown by a Thickening of the nailwho also yellowish-white discolored and crumbly can be. Often he joins with Athlete's foot on which especially at profuse sweating of the feet or one immunodeficiency occurs. But also here are poor foot hygiene, incorrect footwear and incorrectly performed nail care causes. Nail fungus can be caused locally by lotions or special nail polish, systemically by a Antifungal agent (an anti-fungal medicine) or by a Laser treatment be treated.
At Diabetics or people with Circulatory disorders the nail care should be done by a professional foot care, because here that Risk of infection is increased. The costs are usually borne by the statutory health insurance companies.
This is a special form of pain on the toenail subungual hematoma dar: a Bruising between the nail and the nail bed, mostly through Bruising of the nail (please refer: Bruise under the nail). This causes severe pain that may knock or pulse, and one that is visible Bleeding under the nail. This is relieved by a Drilling the nail with a cannula, which usually leads to an immediate improvement in pain.
gout
The gout is a Metabolic disorderthat with a increased uric acid levels in the blood goes hand in hand. If the concentration of uric acid is too high, they deposit Uric acid crystals in the joints from. Since these crystals are from immune system are perceived as foreign bodies, a Inflammatory response in the joint, this goes with Joint swelling and severe pain. Often the big toe is affected.
The gout can seizure with sudden pain in the affected joint. Additionally are one overheat, Redness and swelling to observe. It is important that the gout is treated as it is next to one Joint damage also one Kidney damage which is not painful and therefore can go undetected. Often it lies gout already a Renal dysfunction fundamentally. This problem is then caused by the gout aggravated. The drug can be used therapeutically Allopurinol lower the uric acid concentration. Avoiding foods high in purine, a precursor of uric acid, is also beneficial. These are essentially meat, fish and legumes.
Of the Toe painthat occurs during a gout attack can be done with the help of anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as Ibuprofen be treated. To Anti-inflammatory can also Cortisone are given.
Inflammation of the nail bed
A Inflammation of the nail bed most often occurs because the toenail is waxed in. Pain, Redness and possibly pus are indications of an inflammation of the nail bed.
The affected area on the toe is often very sensitive to touch, so that walking in shoes is perceived as uncomfortable. It can become one Toenail waxing come when it is cut too short or worn too tight shoes that pinch the toes.
Can therapeutically anti-inflammatory and disinfecting Anoint be applied. If this does not help, the toenail at the affected area must be carefully separated from the surrounding bed with a small surgical procedure so that the nail bed can heal again.
Will be at diabetic or in patients with Wound healing disorders found an inflammation of the nail bed on the feet, it is important that this is treated consistently immediately. There is a great risk that the inflammation will spread and result in a large wound that is infected. In the case of wound healing disorders, this poses a great danger, which is why even small inflammations in the nail bed must be acted upon quickly.
Prophylactic shoes should be worn that offer sufficient space for the toes. In addition, the nails should not be cut too short.
Inflammation of the big toe
Toe pain can also come from inflammation of the big toe.
Depending on the underlying cause of the inflammation, symptoms can vary. First signs can be a Redness and swelling of the big toe.
Movement of the toe may be restricted in the further course.
Furthermore, the extent of the inflammation can vary, it can only affect the nail bed or the whole toe.
