Big Toe Joint Pain

Joint pain in the big toe is a common complaint during old age. People playing contact sports like rugby and football often experience big toe joint pain and swelling. Lack of rest or overuse of the feet are some of the common reasons behind big toe joint pain when walking. However, such a type of pain is not a cause of worry and goes away without any treatment.

Big Toe Joint Pain Causes

What causes persistent big toe joint pain when running? Why the big toe becomes painful even during a simple walk? Following are the reasons:

Hallux Rigidus
Also, referred as arthritis of the big toe, this condition is typically seen in the joint located in the ball of the foot. There are two joints found at the base of the toe and arthritis affects the larger joint. This joint connects the foot bone with the bone of the big toe. Besides, restricting the normal movement of the big toe, radiating pain from the affected toe is also experienced while walking or standing. This condition occurs in older people and is the result of wear and tear of joints.

Our joints are exposed to varying pressure during our day-to-day activities. Over time, this can can have a negative impact on the joint strength. Joints are points, where two bones meet. At the end of each bone there is a covering of tough elastic tissue, known as cartilage. It prevents friction between bones. In arthritis, the cartilage gets eroded, leading to inflammation of the joints. When arthritis affects the big toe, it brings joint stiffness. The patient's inability to move the toe is distinctly visible. Swelling on the top of the big toe joint in the form of bony bump is also seen due to the development of hallux rigidus.

Bunions
Protrusion of a bony structure near the side of the big toe, is referred as bunions. The enlargement of the bony structure that make the big toe inclined, is the result of inflammation of the bursa (a fluid filled sac that prevents rubbing between the bone and the tendons). A bump like appearance near the large toe joint is seen in people suffering from bunions. The skin around the bumpy area appears red and can cause considerably difficulty while moving the toe. Read more on bunion pain relief.

Injury
Injury to the big toe joint can also cause swelling and pain, thus limiting toe motion. Damage to the big toe joint predisposes a person to toe arthritis. Injury may damage the structure of the toe bone, which may lead to hallux rigidus. Sports like football, where in kicking the ball puts tremendous pressure on the foot, can bring joint problems in the big toe.

Big Toe Joint Pain Relief

Different treatment options exist to overcome this discomfort associated with big toe joint. Application of ice cubes on the affected part of the body can help to alleviate pain. Other treatment methods are given below:

Heat Therapy
A conservative form of treatment involves putting the affected area in a tub containing moderately hot water. This procedure can also help to relieve the pain associated with big toe joint.

Medications
Medicines that act as pain relievers for toe joint problems are ibuprofen. This is an anti-inflammatory drug that can work miracles to decrease the pain substantially.

Corticosteroids
When big toe joint pain does not respond to ibuprofen, corticosteroids injections may be administered to reduce the pain.

Buy Proper Footwear
Wearing the right shoes is necessary to manage the pain effectively. Shoes that have a small toe box will only contribute in worsening the pain. Purchasing shoes with a wide toe box, would certainly be a comfortable option. Shoes having thin soles can also worsen the pain. Thick soled shoes can help to reduce the strain on the big toe, while walking. Insertion of orthotic arch support is another shoe modification that can be helpful to decrease the discomfort.

Surgery
In case of bunions, surgical procedure involves, realigning or removing the affected bone structure. This may help to resolve the issue. For hallux rigidus, it all depends on the severity of the arthritis. A surgical procedure known as cheilectomy is commonly used in which the protruding bump is cut to restore movement of the big toe. In severe cases, few more bone cuts (osteotomy) are made to improve movement.