What Causes Sharp Pain In Big Toe – When we think of gout, we may think of Renaissance-era royalty and indulgent parties. But gout is still very present in the 21st century. Gout is actually a type of arthritis that can affect any joint in the body. But it often occurs first in the form of sudden pain in the big toe. Here’s a look at what causes gout, how to treat and prevent it, and why our big toes are so sensitive.
Gout is a type of arthritis created by a buildup of uric acid in the tissues or joints. Uric acid is a waste product in the blood. If all goes well, your body will eliminate it in the form of urine. But if you make too much uric acid or your kidneys don’t remove waste like they should, it can build up into crystals in your joints. Gout can also be a warning sign of other potential health problems, as high uric acid levels are also linked to diabetes and kidney stones.
What Causes Sharp Pain In Big Toe
The main warning sign of gout is severe joint pain that comes on suddenly (often in the big toe joint). As the Mayo Clinic describes it, some patients wake up in the middle of the night as if their toe is on fire. Other symptoms include redness, swelling and a limited range of motion in the joint.
Why Does My Big Toe Hurt Suddenly?
According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, gout is most common in the big toe joint because uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes. The foot is farthest from the heart and is the coolest part of the body, so the big toe joint is a canary in the coal mine when it comes to gout.
Gout is most common in men between the ages of 40 and 50, but it can also occur in women and other age groups. Causes of gout include:
Most doctors recommend managing gout with lifestyle and dietary changes. There are also medical interventions available to control and prevent gout pain. Treatments and prevention methods include:
If you experience sudden, severe pain in your big toe or any other joint, make an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon. Your orthopedic provider can diagnose the problem and work with you to provide both immediate pain relief and long-term solutions. If you are diagnosed with gout, your doctor may recommend cortisone injections and/or medications along with lifestyle changes. At Countryside Orthopedics, we work to keep every patient active and feeling great so you can continue to do the activities you love. If gout or another joint condition is slowing you down, get it diagnosed and take the first steps to get it under control. Arthritis of the feet and toes is a medical problem with the joints. This painful condition, which involves one or more joints, can be caused by normal aging or “wear and tear” from injuries or inflammatory diseases (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.).
Bunions: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment
The most common joint with foot arthritis is the first big toe joint. From sports injuries (turf toe) to genetic flatfoot deformities, this joint has the highest incidence of arthritis.
The patient’s symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling and redness, all due to “joint lock” and cartilage degeneration. The pain is characterized as dull to sharp with first steps in the morning and also in the evening after increased activity or with a small relief, because it is “warmed up” with light walking and massage.
Depending on the severity of the problem, the patient’s lifestyle and medical history, and other factors, arthritis of the big toe joint can be treated with conservative treatment or surgical treatment.
Oral anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve chronic pain, but should not be used as a lifelong treatment for acute pain associated with arthritis.
Painful Purple Toes
Temporary arch supports, supportive trainers, and custom-molded orthopedic inserts are a great way to reduce the amount of force and excessive motion in the affected joints.
Physical therapy practices such as massage, cold therapy, contrast baths, stretching, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation can help relieve pain and treat arthritis of the big toe.
Anti-inflammatory drugs can be injected directly into the joint, where they can be more effective without causing a problem for the rest of the body. These injections can be done with minimal discomfort.
During the surgical procedure to preserve the big toe joint, the degraded cartilage is removed and the remaining bone is cut or drilled to encourage the growth of new cartilage. Additional joint decompression osteotomy, or shortening, to prevent joint disruption and increase range of motion. The operation is performed in an outpatient center or hospital with sedation and/or general anesthesia.
What To Do When Something Heavy Falls On Your Toe
Patients should not bear weight while wearing a removable CAM (Controlled Motion Ankle) boot, which applies stabilizing pressure to the heel, until the sutures are removed after 2 weeks.
Patients should follow an additional no-weight-bearing instruction for an additional 2 weeks, followed by partial weight-bearing and gradual return to full weight-bearing with a supportive shoe over 4 to 6 weeks.
The detached cartilage is removed and the remaining bone is debrided or drilled to promote bony fusion with an internal plate and screws. Joint fusion is a permanent procedure, although joint reduction and replacement are possible for some fusion patients with poor results. The operation is performed in an outpatient center or hospital with sedation and/or general anesthesia.
Patients should not bear weight and use a removable CAM walker boot to add heel pressure until the sutures are removed after 2 weeks. Patients can bear weight for 2-3 weeks with a total joint implant.
Joint Pain In The Big Toe: 5 Causes
Patients undergoing the joint fusion procedure should allow no weight bearing for 6 weeks, followed by partial weight bearing and gradual return to full weight bearing with a supportive shoe over 8 to 12 weeks.
The most common reason is that the big toe hurts in the joint, because this is where all the movement happens during walking and running. The causes can vary, but they all center around the blockage of the joint and damage to the cartilage.
The most common cause of big toe joint pain is arthritis. The pain is usually worse at night, with the first steps in the morning and with increased activity. There are other causes than gout, but stress and damage to the big toe joint is the main problem.
The easiest way to get rid of joint pain in the big toe is to first assess where the pain is in the big toe. For example, your toenail can become very painful with excessive shoe pressure, and wearing larger or open shoes can eliminate this pain. Joint pain can be treated with more support, custom-molded orthotics and oral anti-inflammatory medications.
Causes Of Pediatric Foot Pain
You should be concerned about toe pain if it gets worse, doesn’t feel better with rest, stings or hurts at night, is warm or red, or shows signs of infection such as odor or drainage.
It is very rare for a fungus to enter the bloodstream. Unless a person is immunologically compromised and/or takes high doses of immunosuppressant drugs, toenail fungus will only grow externally.
Foot pain is not always a sign of diabetes. Foot pain due to diabetes is usually caused by poor circulation and nerve damage.
“Great doctor! She worked with me to avoid surgery when I first went there (unlike other doctors who led me to believe I had no other choice!), and when it became apparent that surgery was on my other foot was needed, it went very well. Great staff, highly recommended.”
Common Causes Of Foot Pain From Running
Live Your Life Pain Free – Start Your Healing Journey Today! Contact Moore’s foot and ankle specialists to discuss treatment for arthritis of the big toe joint. Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP – By Emily Cronkleton – Updated May 10, 2023
Big toe pain can usually be treated with home remedies; however, if you notice pus or swelling, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Big toe pain can come on suddenly or develop over time. Many common illnesses can cause acute pain, but it can also be a symptom of an underlying condition that needs specialist treatment.
Depending on the cause of the pain, you may find relief with home treatment. In some cases, medical treatment, lifestyle changes, or extended rest may be necessary.
Hammertoe Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
If you experience severe pain, impact injury or loss of sensation, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have pain in your big toe, you are probably eager to find out what is causing it so that you can find relief. It is essential to get to the root cause of your toe pain so that you can take the appropriate steps to cure it.
The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint connects the base of the big toe to the head of the first bone on the top of the foot. It also connects to the two small bones below this bone.
Injuries to this joint can interfere with your daily life, making simple activities difficult. Moving and carrying actions often cause the greatest stress.
Why Does My Toe Hurt On The Side?
It’s important to see a doctor if you experience new pain, but knowing the possible sources of your pain can help you figure out how
Sharp nerve pain in big toe, sharp pain in big toe at night, what causes sharp pain in your big toe, what causes pain in your big toe, what causes pain in big toe joint, sharp stabbing pain in big toe, sharp toe pain causes, big toe pain causes, sharp pain in big toe causes, what causes pain in my big toe, what causes pain in big toe, big toe sharp stabbing pain
