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Foot pain in the big toe

21 Jul 18

Causes of pain in the big toe

Many people complain of pain in their feet and most often the big toe hurts. There are many reasons for these symptoms. Some people have big toes due to uncomfortable shoes, while others have big toes due to general diseases of the body. Such symptoms do not often cause concern to their owners; as a rule, they endure pain for a long time until foot deformity or other pathological signs appear. But it is very important to determine in time why your thumbs hurt, because pain can be one of the signs of a dangerous disease, delay in treatment of which can cost a person not only his health, but also his life.

Let's look at the most common causes of pain in the big toe.

Physiological reasons

Pain in the big toe is not always associated with illness. In most cases, it is due to physiological reasons and is a normal response of the body to certain types of stress.

Shoes with high heels and narrow toes are often the cause of the development of arthrosis of the first toe.

The big toe of the left and right foot plays a very important role. It helps the foot perform its supporting function; thanks to this structure, the load is evenly distributed throughout the foot. Also, the accumulation of soft tissue of the big toe softens the impact of the foot when walking and running. Accordingly, this anatomical formation is subject to heavy loads every day, so pain in the finger may occur:

  • with prolonged stay in an upright position;
  • during prolonged walking or running;
  • when wearing shoes that don't fit;
  • for lovers of shoes with pointed and narrow toes;
  • when wearing high-heeled shoes, when the center of gravity shifts to the forefoot and big toe.
  • Important! If your big toe hurts, then, first of all, rule out the reasons described above. After all, they can cause pain for a long time, and if such risk factors are not eliminated, then in the future they can develop into a full-fledged disease, for example, deforming osteoarthritis, the treatment of which is very difficult and not always successful.

    Traumatic causes

    Anyone can get a bruised first toe. You don't need to be a professional football player to do this, just hit a table leg at home. Thus, traumatic injuries are in second place among the causes of pain.

    There are several types of thumb injuries:

  • injury,
  • nail damage,
  • dislocation of the phalanges,
  • sprain,
  • broken bones,
  • cut and puncture wounds.
  • In most cases, it is very difficult to immediately determine the type of injury, since the symptoms are practically no different. An accurate diagnosis will be made by a traumatologist after examination, clarification of the causes and mechanism of injury, and radiography.

    • the pain is very severe and occurs at the moment of injury; subsequently it becomes tolerable, but returns again with any movement;
    • the pad under the thumb swells;
    • external signs of injury are often present: subcutaneous hemorrhages, hematomas;
    • finger function suffers;
    • with dislocations and fractures, it can occupy an unnatural position.
    • If you bruise your thumb, you should always seek medical help, otherwise you may miss a fracture that heals incorrectly. And this, in turn, will lead to deformation of the foot, disruption of its function and cosmetic defect.

      External signs of a bruised first toe

      Deforming osteoarthritis

      Popular arthrosis of the thumb is mistakenly called gout, although it has nothing in common with this disease. Also, many people incorrectly believe that this disease develops due to poor nutrition, mythical salt deposits, etc.

      In fact, arthrosis and the resulting deformation of the finger, which is called hallux valgus or simply “bone”, can be provoked by the following factors:

    • a history of trauma, and the person most often does not remember about it (fracture, subluxation, severe bruise);
    • features of the anatomical structure of the skeleton (wide foot);
    • flat feet;
    • wearing narrow shoes, models with long and narrow toes, high-heeled shoes;
    • being overweight;
    • long-term and constant overload of the joints of the first finger.
    • Women suffer from arthrosis 3 times more often than men. Symptoms of damage to the thumb joint do not appear immediately. This process has several stages:

    • In the first stage, pain develops only after overload, for example, at the end of a working day or a long walk. There may be a crunch in the joint when moving. There is no deformation of the toe at this stage, but the patient may notice minimal protrusion of the bone in the foot.
    • In the second stage, pain develops after habitual exercise; often, to treat it, people begin to take painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The deformity worsens, the bone begins to bulge more, the first toe deviates to the outside of the foot. At this stage, all patients' shoe sizes increase, and they also become difficult to choose due to deformation and cosmetic defects.
    • At the third stage, pain in the joint becomes chronic, and painkillers partially lose their effectiveness. The first finger deviates greatly to the side, which causes the others to become deformed. Arthrosis at this stage can only be treated surgically, and even then, it is not always possible to eliminate the cosmetic defect and return full function to the foot.
    • 3 degrees of arthrosis of the first toe (halus valgus)

      Gout is a general metabolic disease of the body, which is based on a violation of the metabolism of purine bases due to excessive production of uric acid and its deposition in the form of salts in peripheral tissues. It is these accumulations of urates in the tissues of the joints that cause the attack of arthritis characteristic of gout.

      Gouty arthritis develops acutely. Often the pain begins at night in the midst of full health and awakens the patient. In 80% of cases of gout, the metatarsophalangeal joint of the first toe is inflamed. In women, gout most often affects the small joints of the hands.

      The pain is so severe that the patient can neither touch nor step on the leg. At the same time, other signs of inflammation are present: swelling, redness of the skin, and increased temperature. For some people, a gout attack may be accompanied by a fever and general malaise.

      Arthritis lasts 7-10 days without treatment and 4-5 with adequate therapy. As the disease progresses, attacks become longer and remissions become shorter. Urate deposits appear under the skin in the form of specific nodules, tophi. Gout can also be complicated by the formation of stones in the kidneys and gall bladder.

      This is an inflammation of the joints of the first finger, which can develop for several reasons:

    • penetration of pathogenic microorganisms with the development of infectious arthritis (reactive, acute purulent, septic);
    • allergic reactions (allergic arthritis);
    • autoimmune processes (autoimmune arthritis).
    • All of these factors can cause both acute and chronic inflammation. Determining the cause of arthritis is very important, as treatment depends on it. Although the first toe rarely suffers from such ailments, its arthritis may be a sign of:

    • psoriatic arthropathy,
    • rheumatoid arthritis,
    • systemic lupus erythematosus,
    • systemic scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases.
    • The most typical involvement of the big toe in the pathological process is in reactive and psoriatic arthritis. Let's look at these diseases.

      Psoriatic arthropathy

      This is one of the manifestations of psoriasis (skin disease). Joint lesions occur in 7% of patients with this disease. Moreover, joint damage may precede the skin rash, occur simultaneously with it, or be present after the rash. The last option is most common. The causes of joint inflammation in psoriasis, as well as the disease itself, are unknown.

      The joints of one or more fingers may become inflamed. They are asymmetrical in nature. A characteristic feature is axial damage, that is, all the joints of one finger are simultaneously retracted, as a result of which the latter becomes like a sausage. The finger swells, turns red, and pain develops.

      If arthritis becomes chronic and the patient does not receive the necessary therapy, the foot begins to deform and the joints are destroyed. This may cause disability.

      This is inflammation of the joints of infectious etiology. The cause most often is urogenital infections, intestinal or respiratory. As a rule, joint inflammation begins 10-14 days after the initial infection. Several joints are affected simultaneously, including the first toe.

      The pain varies in intensity. The joint becomes red, swollen, and the skin over it becomes hot to the touch. In some cases, limb function is impaired due to pain.

      Arthritis responds well to treatment with antibacterial drugs and never leaves behind deformities. The prognosis is favorable, but sometimes it can become chronic with periodic exacerbations.

      There is more than one cause of pain in the big toe. Some of them are familiar to everyone. Unfortunately, most people do not take them seriously until they experience the pain and discomfort they cause. These include:

    • ingrown nail,
    • callus,
    • corns (dry callus),
    • foot and nail fungus.
    • In conclusion, it should be noted that pain in the big toe can be a symptom of many, including dangerous, diseases of the body. In each case, such a sign deserves careful attention and consultation with a specialist, because at first it is much easier to cure the disease than to then unsuccessfully fight its consequences.

      What to do if your big toe hurts?

      Our entire body relative to the surface area of ​​our feet is not small at all. Proper distribution of mass is achieved by the arches and special structure of the foot. In this case, the maximum load falls on the first toe .

      This tension often leads to illness.

      There are many reasons why your big toe hurts:

      Finger hurts in the joint area

      The thumb is often injured. The reasons are quite simple and mundane:

      • falling a heavy object on your leg,
      • hitting an obstacle (the so-called “night walker” bruise)
      • poor placement of the foot, with subluxation,
      • overvoltage during prolonged exercise (ballerina).
      • If the injury is only superficial, a hematoma (bruise) develops in the area of ​​the bruise, and the pain in the big toe is not pronounced and almost does not change when trying to move. If you try to touch the site of the impact, the pain will intensify.

        The injury may result in a dislocation of the phalanx of the first finger. The most common mechanism of such injury is a foot strike on a hard object or a fall. A sharp, acute pain that occurs at the moment of impact and a change in the position of the finger will help to recognize a dislocation: it may seem bent. Swelling quickly develops in the joint area, and the big toe hurts especially badly when bent.

        A fracture and crack in the bone of the distal phalanx of the big toe develops after a particularly strong kick or when falling from above onto the toe. The pain associated with a fracture is very strong and acute. The swelling of the finger quickly increases, it is impossible to step on the foot.

        Sometimes, painful sensations occur directly at the edge of the nail. The skin in this area becomes red, inflamed , swollen, and hot. In the future, white pus may even appear from the inflamed area. This condition is called felon, or more precisely, paronychia. Reason: Small wounds on the fingertip become easily infected.

      • wearing narrow shoes that squeeze the foot,
      • improper cutting of nails: the cut should be perpendicular to the foot,
      • insufficient hygiene, causing infections.
      • With panaritium, the big toe hurts extremely strongly, pulsatingly. The pain intensifies if you lower the leg down and is relieved when you raise the limb on a pillow.

        Thumb bone

        Often a person associates pain in a finger with the presence of a bone near the joint. This foot deformity is a direct consequence of transverse flatfoot .

        In a healthy person, maintaining the correct distribution of weight on the foot is ensured by two arches: longitudinal and transverse. Everyone has heard about the first variant of flat feet: children in kindergartens are checked for pathology by making foot prints on paper. The second option, transverse flatfoot, is the lot of adult, beautiful women who are accustomed to wearing high heels throughout the day.

        Open sandals are especially dangerous:

      • Gradually, under the weight of its own weight, the arch becomes flat, disappears, and the toes become deformed.
      • The thumb suffers first, as it bears the heaviest load.
      • It becomes deformed, bending, forming a bone at the joint and pressing on other fingers.
      • This long process, which is difficult to stop, will lead a 20-year-old girl by the age of 60 to disfiguring deformities of all her toes. This phenomenon is called hallux valgus and is accompanied by pain in the big toe. The pain is especially aggravated when wearing high-heeled shoes.

        The combination of pain and swelling is a sign of inflammation in the big toe . Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joint - it is this finger that causes gout. This metabolic disease was once considered a privilege of the rich. Eating large amounts of red meat, red fish, wine, seafood, and caviar contributes to the manifestation of gout. However, it has now been proven that some people synthesize uric acid in excess or do not excrete it enough. Urate crystals are deposited: in the joint - arthritis develops.

        An attack can be provoked by alcohol abuse, overeating food rich in animal protein, or trauma. The pain of gout is acute and very strong, the finger literally bursts from the inside. The outside of the joint is red, hot, and movements are painful. The attack lasts no more than 3-4 days, and then subsides due to the washing away of the crystals.

        In addition to gout, arthritis can be the result of an infection (streptococcal, staphylococcal, viral) or an old injury to the joint.

        Pain in the nail area

        The cause of pain in the nail, in addition to paronychia, can be injury. Often, small sharp splinters that get under the nail go unnoticed. After a couple of days, the splinter will cause inflammation of the surrounding tissue . This will manifest itself as a sharp, throbbing pain that intensifies when you press on the nail. If the splinter is superficial, then it can be seen under the nail plate - in the area of ​​​​redness.

        Often the finger does not bother the owner at rest, but as soon as the finger begins to move, aching, pulling discomfort develops. The causes of such pain in the big toe are problems with the big toe joint. This can be either hallux valgus or osteoarthritis deformans .

        This is a chronic pathology of all joints of the body that affects older people. With age, especially if a person’s work was associated with physical activity, if there is excess weight, the cartilaginous surfaces become thinner, damaged, and the joint spaces become narrow.

        These protrusions cause severe pain when moving. The finger is little changed in appearance - there may be slight swelling. When bending the finger, a sharp pain and crunching occurs. Pain that occurs when walking forces a person to stop and walk slowly.

        Deforming arthrosis is a disease that affects absolutely all joints.

        Pain when walking can also be a consequence of a dry callus located on the pad. This is the so-called “corns”. This type of callus develops in a place subject to active pressure: under the fingers, especially when wearing high-heeled sandals.

        The problem can also affect the nerve fibers of the legs. Diabetes mellitus is a common disease today. One of the complications of diabetes is polyneuropathy. This is a specific nerve damage that manifests itself as problems with sensitivity. Including, numbness may develop in both the fingers and feet or all legs.

        Neuropathy is often accompanied by painful sensations. Since diabetic polyneuropathy develops symmetrically, the big toes of both the left and right feet usually hurt equally.

        If such a problem occurs, it will not be superfluous to know what to do if your big toe hurts.

        Among all the methods it is worth highlighting:

        Drug therapy

        All drugs used for finger pain can be divided into

        The main drugs that alleviate the condition are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . This is a very large group that comes in all forms. Injection medications are most effective for acute pain. Diclofenac and ketorol are used. These are strong remedies; it is not advisable to use them for longer than 7 days.

        If the condition is very severe, with severe inflammation, then it makes sense to resort to hormones. This is prednisolone, hydrocortisone in injections: they have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, but have many side effects and can be harmful to health.

        Intramuscular injections are prescribed for periods of acute pain. Then they switch to tablets.

        Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also in the lead here : diclofenac and ketorol tablets. The effect of these drugs is excellent, but the frequency of side effects is high: stomach pain occurs due to ulcerative lesions.

        A somewhat new group among NSAIDs is selective COX-2 inhibitors:

        These drugs are much less likely to cause side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.

        Deforming arthrosis requires the prescription of drugs that restore cartilage tissue: Artra, Teraflex, Structum.

        In parallel with the use of injections and tablets, anti-inflammatory drugs are used topically , in the form of ointments and gels:

        Many physical therapy techniques have been used very successfully for chronic thumb pain.

      • Ultrasound therapy: restores blood circulation, reduces inflammation.
      • Laser therapy: relaxes muscles, removes bone growths and swelling.
      • Shock wave therapy: resolves growths, improves blood supply to the foot.
      • Orthopedic insoles: reduce the load on the foot and correctly distribute it along the leg.
      • It is recommended not to stop physical activity due to finger pain , with the exception of injury and an acute attack of gout (rest is needed there).

      • Stand at shoulder width. We lift the heel off the floor, the toes are pressed. Make circular movements with your feet.
      • Scatter small objects on the floor: pencils, pens, lids. Try to collect them all with your toes.
      • Before getting out of bed in the morning, raise your leg and try to write letters of the alphabet in the air.
      • Many medicinal herbs have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to make infusions for compresses:

        Infusions are prepared from herbs: dry or fresh raw materials are poured with hot water and infused in a dark place for 3 days. Then, the liquid is used as part of a compress.

        Surgery

        Sometimes, conservative medicine becomes obsolete. And pain in the thumb causes a lot of inconvenience to a person. For such cases there are operations:

      • An ingrown nail that does not respond to conventional treatment can be easily removed in a clinic - a new one will grow in its place.
      • A similar operation may be needed for paronychia, when the infection of the damaged nail does not allow it to fully recover.
      • The panaritium of the big toe also requires opening and removal of pus. This small procedure is performed by a surgeon in a clinic.
      • If the bunion near the big toe becomes severely deformed, it can be removed. There are about 100 types of foot correction surgery. Today, minor interventions with small incisions are preferred. The operation itself is small and is usually completed in two hours. But in the future, wearing orthopedic shoes and a bandage is required.
      • Any injury to a finger must necessarily lead to an emergency room in order to take a picture and rule out severe damage to the foot.
      • Inflammatory problems - arthritis, panaritium can lead to blood poisoning if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to see a specialist as soon as possible if there is a suspicion of inflammation of the finger.
      • Gout is a serious chronic disease, the treatment of which uses dangerous drugs that should only be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, gout should be treated by a specialist.

      Despite all their insignificance, the big toes of the right or left foot are vital for us to walk correctly and comfortably.

      Why does my big toe hurt?

      When the big toe suddenly starts to hurt, many people do not take it seriously, although they feel discomfort during physical activity that involves movement. Pain is a particular nuisance for those whose work requires them to spend a lot of time standing or walking a lot throughout the day. Such a symptom can be a manifestation of many diseases, and sometimes can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, if your big toe is swollen and painful, suddenly turns red or begins to swell, you should immediately contact the clinic for help.

      Pain as a result of injuries and deformities

      A common reason why a big toe hurts is a fracture or bruise. Moreover, often an injury received during exercise in the gym, an accidental fall, or as a result of a heavy object falling on the leg may go unnoticed. Therefore, after such incidents, you need to monitor the condition of the limb - if the finger begins to hurt more, and also turns blue and swollen, you should immediately contact a traumatologist. An x-ray will help determine whether the foot is injured.

      If there is an injury, it will be necessary to reduce the load on the leg, and, in particular, on the big toe. If necessary, the doctor will usually apply a fixative or plaster bandage, which will need to be removed only after his approval. If the pain in the finger is very severe, painkillers are usually used to relieve it. Treatment of fractures also involves taking vitamins and medications containing calcium. When consumed, bones grow together faster and stop hurting.

      The causes of foot deformities, which also cause pain in the big toes, include uncomfortable shoes, high heels and shoes with a narrow last, which are usually preferred by middle-aged and older women. In the advanced stage of the deformity, the thumb bends towards the index finger, which provokes the appearance of a “bump” on the side. The development of the disease can be prevented at the earliest stages by purchasing comfortable shoes and performing special massage procedures. In particularly advanced cases, the “bone” can only be removed after surgery.

      Pain as a manifestation of arthritis and arthrosis

      Inflammation that occurs on the big toe can be infectious or autoimmune. In the first option, the disease develops after viruses or bacteria enter the joint cavity, and in the second, the cause is a malfunction of the immune system. Inflammation has the same symptoms that appear in other joint diseases: the finger swells, starting in the second half of the night. The swelling subsides a little only after lunch. Treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory drugs.

      Infectious arthritis is characterized by a focus of inflammation that appears after bacteria enter the joint after mechanical damage and the formation of a wound. Antibacterial therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. It is also necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease. Finding the factors that trigger autoimmune arthritis is very difficult. Treatment is carried out by rheumatologists, using modern effective means that can reduce inflammation.

      Pain in the big toe often worries athletes and older people: frequent injuries and widespread infections lead to a degenerative disease - deforming arthrosis. Doctors do not yet fully know the causes of this disease. The pathology is associated with cartilaginous structures, the occurrence of bone growths that deform the joint and lead to various complications.

      Treatment of this disease is usually complex and quite complex, using several methods. If the toe hurts quite noticeably, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors are used. In case of significant deformities, the affected joints are sometimes treated surgically.

      Gout disease

      Gout is a metabolic disease in which urate, a salt of uric acid, accumulates in the joints. Thanks to these crystalline deposits, gout-specific arthritis begins to manifest. Middle-aged men are more susceptible to this disease.

      Common symptoms of gouty arthritis are:

    • acute pain;
    • redness, which is especially observed on the thumbs;
    • swelling of the affected areas, when palpated, compactions are felt - deposits of uric acid;
    • the appearance of swelling;
    • heat;
    • general weakness.
    • If your big toe hurts due to gouty arthritis, treatment should be carried out in a hospital. Those who suffer from this disease should remember that their diet should not contain broths, dishes made from the meat of young animals, smoked meats, fried or salted fish, legumes, cheeses and spices. It is also worth excluding alcoholic drinks, chocolate, coffee, too strong tea, grapes, cakes and pastries with cream. All of the listed products provoke increased formation of urates. Gout is an incurable disease. However, by changing your lifestyle and eating right, you can control the course of this disease.

      Painful sensations with bursitis

      If your big toe hurts, the cause may well be bursitis, which is an inflammatory process of the metatarsophalangeal joint. The disease develops as a result of injuries or prolonged wearing of uncomfortable shoes. Its characteristic symptom is the appearance of a painless “bump” on the outside of the big toe, which provokes curvature of the joint. Aching pain in the area of ​​the joint and foot appears only after 2-3 months. Corns that appear on the soles make themselves felt by pain when walking.

      Too mobile metatarsal bone and impaired pronation are the main causes of bursitis. Because of them, the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe feels excessive pressure when pushing the limb off the ground. Because the tendons are always stretched, the big toe has to bend outward.

      What to do if your toe hurts due to bursitis? Of course, it is better not to wait until a nagging or sharp pain appears, but to seek help from a medical facility at the first symptoms. In the initial stages, wearing orthopedic shoes helps a lot, which changes the direction of mechanical forces. If the finger begins to ache more and more strongly and more noticeably, then the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and interstitial injections is indicated to localize the pain. In particularly severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

      Other Possible Causes

      Other reasons why big toes hurt include the following:

    • Valgus deformity, in which the first toe deviates to the side, causing the bone to become noticeable from the inside. The main reasons for the development of the disease include flat feet, osteoporosis, genetic predisposition, in which the ligaments are underdeveloped and various defects are diagnosed in the bones, and diseases of the endocrine system. This disease is dangerous because there is a high risk of destruction of the heads of the bone joints.
    • Tendinitis, which is a degenerative process in which acute inflammation develops. The disease most often occurs due to heavy physical activity or injury and provokes the development of tendon dystrophy on both the right leg and the left leg. The doctor at the clinic will tell you how to treat the disease, after carrying out the appropriate tests and diagnostics.
    • Ingrown nail. When the nail plate grows into the skin, many feel severe pain. The joint of the thumb turns red, the tissues become inflamed, and swelling appears. Most of these problems are usually solved surgically.
    • Corns and calluses, the formation of which causes pain in the balls of the big toes to appear unexpectedly when walking. There are a large number of ways to treat them, both medicinal and traditional.
    • Simple and effective folk remedies

      Sometimes, for pain in the big toe, you can use simple traditional medicine recipes. However, such treatment can only be additional and agreed with the attending physician. For example, when a thumb is bruised, compresses made from chopped onions, as well as soft wormwood or plantain leaves applied to the affected areas, help relieve the pain.

      If the joint hurts during an exacerbation of gout, you can apply lard, chopped onion or a bandage pre-moistened in a mixture of activated charcoal and alcohol to the sore finger. There are several effective recipes for pain in the big toes due to arthritis. For example, the inflamed area can be lubricated with apple cider vinegar, or lotions can be made from a pre-prepared tincture of bay leaves or potatoes. For arthrosis, compresses made from cabbage leaves or yogurt help a lot.

      Deformation of the joints of the thumbs can be treated by applying a special product to the bones. To prepare it, you need to combine red clay (50 g), sea salt (1 tbsp.), and boiled water (200 g). You need to add turpentine (5 drops) to the resulting mixture and, after mixing all the ingredients well, apply the product to the diseased bones. You need to keep it until it hardens completely, and then wash your feet well with warm water.

      However, in order for the treatment to bring the expected result, you should not rely only on the help of folk remedies. It is much safer to trust a doctor who will prescribe treatment in accordance with the established diagnosis.

      Nail pain - causes and prevention

      Many people do not think that big toe pain is a harbinger of serious diseases in the human body. If you feel the slightest discomfort, you need to make an appointment with a competent specialist.

      Today, a common patient complaint is pain in the nail on the big toe. What to do in this situation? You should not select painkillers or special creams on your own, because for effective treatment you need to find out the cause of the disease.

      The following condition of the nails indicates good health and proper foot care:

    • The surface of the plate is glossy, there are no roughness or compactions.
    • Color – pinkish.
    • There is no pain on palpation.
    • Do you not have these signs? Then you have only one option - immediately contact a specialist and, under his guidance, begin treatment of the identified disease.

      If your toenails hurt, this indicates:

      Let's study each sign in more detail

      The toes begin to hurt for reasons that do not depend on the person. These include all kinds of blows, bruises and splinters. The feet undergo enormous physical stress, and tears in the nail plate often occur. The injury causes severe pain to the victim. In severe cases, the nail becomes blue and the fingers become numb. Correctly selected complex treatment will allow you to get rid of the problem within 14-20 days. The color will be restored in at least 2 months.

      In the second case, the nail plate begins to hurt as a result of onychocryptosis - this is known to many as an “ingrown nail”. Basically, this pathology is characteristic of the thumb.

    • Painful sensations.
    • Soft tissues become inflamed.
    • Discharge of blood and pus.
    • Onychocryptosis is particularly dangerous in diabetes mellitus and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Because it can lead to gangrene and amputation.

      Pain can be caused by pathogenic and fungal microorganisms. Please note that they have a detrimental effect on the condition of the body as a whole.

      If your nails hurt, it could be:

    • Onychomycosis. The causative agents are Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum species. The initial stages of the disease do not manifest clinical symptoms; in advanced cases, inflammation of the periungual tissues, deformation and detachment of the nail plate are noted. Treatment is selected depending on the type and combination of pathogens.
    • Entry of pathogenic bacteria into the nail groove. There are onychorrhexis (longitudinal splitting of the plate) and onychoschisis (transverse). The disease develops not only from fungal infection, but also as a result of diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, if the dermatologist has not identified pathogenic microorganisms, a complete diagnosis of the body should be urgently carried out.
    • Rubromycosis is a highly contagious disease, its causative agent is red trichophyton. The disease provokes changes in the nail plate and leads to its fragility. A serious course of the disease can cause pain in the toes, with itching and redness.
    • Candidiasis - nails have a white coating, the periungual tissues swell and turn red. A common cause of the disease is cuts during a pedicure.

    Most of these diseases are transmitted through household contact. In this case, not only the big toe can hurt, but also all the other fingers and even the foot. It is also necessary to take into account that pain in several toenails can be caused by sexually transmitted or dermatological diseases.

    The toenail may hurt due to the following diseases:

  • Microchronia is a congenital disease in which the length of the nail is short and tight shoes lead to pain.
  • Onychauxis - the plate increases in size and becomes denser. The patient complains of inflammation of the nail fold and bed.
  • Onychogryphosis - thickening and deformation of the plate are noted, the shape becomes claw-like and acquires a gray-brown color.

    Nails require great attention to their condition. To prevent most diseases, you must adhere to good hygiene.

    To be protected from toenail pain, you should adhere to the following rules:

  • Avoid a humid environment, as this leads to the active development of fungus.
  • Moisturize your toes and feet daily with creams and gels containing vitamin E.
  • Choose a paper or glass nail file, since metal leads to mitrotrauma, a pedicure must be done correctly.
  • Cutting your nails to the root is prohibited!
  • Sign up for a pedicure only with a trusted specialist. Don't be shy about asking for disposable tools.
  • It is necessary to properly treat an ingrown toenail, fungus or other pathological processes at home.
  • Take vitamin complexes and eat well.
  • You should drink up to 2 liters of water per day.
  • Do not remove nail polish with acetone, as this product leads to delamination of the nail plate.
  • If you experience pain in your nails, it is necessary to exclude the development of a fungal disease, so be sure to visit a dermatologist and mycologist. But if you suspect a bruise, you should seek help from a traumatologist; an ingrown toenail is treated by a surgeon.

    If the cause of the pain in the nail has not been identified, you should see a therapist, who will collect a complete medical history and write out directions for certain tests. After receiving the results of the examination, treatment will be prescribed or consultation with other specialists will be required.

    Is aching pain in your big toe dangerous?

    Many people complain of pain in their big toe. If you feel discomfort, pain or burning in your big toe, you need to take the problem seriously. Such signals indicate illnesses that need to be diagnosed and treated under the supervision of doctors. To always move normally, it is important to take care of your feet. If your big toe hurts, then at first it is easier and faster to eliminate the disease.

    Scientists are sure that leg problems are experienced by people who are not “friendly” with sports, move little, and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Patients who experience pain while walking often complain specifically about the toe. Doctors attribute this to his injury or internal ailments resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle.

    Causes of diseases

    The causes of pain in the thumb lie in a variety of causes.

  • Damaged. Remember if your limb has been hit. In a hurry, people forget about troubles that make themselves known later. If your finger turns blue, it may have been injured.
  • Wearing tight, narrow shoes, high-heeled shoes.
  • In flat feet.
  • In ingrown nails. In this case, the corner of the big toe will hurt. It will become inflamed and begin to break out. Do not let it get to the point where pus appears. You need to immediately contact a surgeon.
  • In arthritis or arthrosis.
  • In rheumatism.
  • In osteochondrosis.
  • In salt deposits (gout). Those who like to eat meat in large quantities put themselves at risk of developing gout. In this case, the toe hurts because salt crystals have accumulated in the joints, interfering with their normal functioning. Men aged 30-50 years are most often affected.
  • Excessive physical activity. This applies to fans of exhausting sports training, running on the toes (it puts increased stress on the toes), and lifting weights.
  • In bursitis. In this case, the periarticular bursa becomes inflamed. The finger swells and becomes red. The pain intensifies when walking. Even a slight touch brings discomfort.
  • Bunion of the big toe

    Arthritis is characterized by tissue inflammation, which worsens at night when the limbs are at rest. This disease can affect any one toe, for example, the right foot. When the big toes are deformed and wearing high heels, bumps can form on the front and side of the foot, the big toe becomes concave, which makes it difficult to walk and causes pain. The finger does not bend.

    Arthrosis is caused by poor circulation in the lower extremities. In this case, the pain is under the big toe because the ball of the big toe has been compressed by tight shoes. Blood flow is disrupted. The pain is felt both at rest and when walking. The growth on the side of the foot causes thickening of the joints, which interferes with normal movement of the toes.

    Flat feet cause discomfort in the foot area, since when walking a person rests on the inside of the sole. Such a load sooner or later makes itself felt by pain in the left or right leg, which radiates to the big toes. Sometimes this causes them to bend. It is worth considering using more practical and comfortable shoes. Women need to give up heels and narrow toes on their shoes.

    Most often, it is difficult to independently determine the causes of the disease. Only contacting a specialist gives results.

    You may not be alone in hurting your big toes. Others join them. They change shape and need treatment just as much as larger ones. It is especially difficult to treat the disease if the finger turns blue. This means that blood does not flow to the tissues normally. If you have pain in your thumb, you need to conduct a thorough diagnosis.

    Often, Morton's neuroma begins to manifest itself as pain in the fingers. Later the pain spreads to the entire sole. Not only does she ache, but all her toes ache, especially the base of her big toe. The disease is caused by compression of nerve endings. This is caused by wearing tight shoes. At first the patient feels a burning sensation, tingling, but over time it develops into pain.

    This occurs because the nerve roots thicken. Before the diagnostic stage, this disease can be distinguished from others if the 2nd or 3rd toe of the left or right foot hurts. The 4th finger makes itself known less often, more often the thumb. A person experiences especially strong unpleasant sensations when walking or during periods of long standing. The pain radiates to the calves and legs. The disease affects women in adulthood. Men get sick, according to statistics, 5 times less often.

    In patients suffering from diabetes, the reason lies in overload. A serious cause of vascular and leg disease in patients with diabetes is elevated blood glucose levels. In this case, the entire body suffers, the disease affects the blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, often in the morning, patients with diabetes experience a burning sensation in their legs, which goes away over time if they are in relative peace. The thumb also suffers.

    Disturbances in the activity of blood vessels are no less serious causes of pain in the big toes. At the same time, they swell and hurt. This is observed after walking, running, and during hypothermia. The disease affects the blood vessels and arteries of the legs. Smokers and diabetics are at risk.

    The causes of the disease also lie in endarteritis (chronic vascular disease of the legs). Arterial blood flow is disrupted due to insufficient supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrition, which causes pain in the legs. The appearance of the skin of the lower extremities also changes, it turns pale, peels, and hair falls out.

    Ingrown nails, warts, calluses, dense growths

    Another answer to the question of why big toes hurt could be an ingrown toenail. Prerequisites for the occurrence of such a disease:

  • incorrectly selected shoes;
  • injury to a finger due to a bruise, with the nail turning blue;
  • fracture or dislocation;
  • Trimming, in which the nail is cut too tightly or unevenly, leaving a sharp surface;
  • nail fungus;
  • inflammation of the finger joint.
  • The ingrown toenail is visible. This place turns red and breaks out. The finger becomes swollen and deformed. Since there is an inflammatory process, the finger may even twitch in pain. You shouldn't rub it. No amount of kneading or massage will help. You need to urgently contact a surgeon to fix the problem. In the future, you need to carefully monitor your nails and not expose them to mechanical damage.

    Patients often complain of pain in the area of ​​the thumb at the site of a callus, spine, or wart. If you remove the root of a steamed callus, you can get rid of the problem and prevent further rubbing in this area. Calluses without roots are cleaned with a foot brush or pumice stone.

    Fingers need to be steamed in hot water. Rub directly into the steaming container with a pumice stone or brush, rinse the sore areas to remove abraded skin, and wipe the limbs dry with a towel. You can also have warts and calluses removed by a dermatologist.

    If there are calluses on your feet, your toe is blue and hurts, the pain may be caused by an existing injury. You need to give your leg rest and contact a traumatologist. Avoid chafing your feet. When caring for your feet, you need to clean off rough skin regularly and use softening foot creams.

    It is better to do the procedures at night. After which it is recommended to lubricate the soles with cream and put on cotton socks. Heels and places where there are calluses will be better softened. There are a huge number of diseases, the symptoms of which are pain and burning in the toes. Before starting treatment, you need to find out the nature of the disease. Never self-medicate.

    Trust the doctors to do this, because if you fix the problem on your own in the wrong ways, you can deprive your limbs of motor activity. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis, if necessary, prescribe tests, x-rays, ultrasound, and determine why the big toe hurts.

    Flat feet will require constant monitoring, special exercises, and the use of orthopedic shoes and insoles. If you have gout, you will have to stop eating large amounts of meat, and the ingrown toenail will simply be removed, after first clearing the tissue of pus.

    During treatment, you must follow all doctor's instructions.

    What causes pain in a bone in the foot?

    The foot is an important component of the human musculoskeletal system. It consists of many small bones, articular cartilage, muscles and ligaments. The slightest changes in the shape of the lower limb can lead to serious diseases of the hip, knee and intervertebral joints. Pain in the bone in the leg is the primary signal of possible curvature of the metatarsophalangeal joint. How to identify an orthopedic disease, and how to treat a bone on the foot near the big toe?

    Signs of hallux valgus

  • The appearance of a bone at the base of the thumb (dense thickening);
  • Pain when walking or standing;
  • Lameness when walking;
  • Formation of calluses or corns on the plantar side of the feet or phalanges;
  • Discomfort at the base of the thumb at rest;
  • Curvature of the fingers of the lower extremities;
  • Redness of the bone on the side of the leg;
  • Limitation of walking distance;
  • Fast fatiguability.
  • Why does the bone on the side of my foot hurt ? The answer lies in the physiological characteristics of the human body. Marginal bone growths are a consequence of dystrophic changes in articular cartilage, which become inflamed due to impaired shock-absorbing functions. The articular cartilage gradually becomes inflamed, causing pain, swelling and redness.

    Depending on the degree of displacement of the big toe and the nature of the pain, experts distinguish 4 degrees of hallux valgus:

    1. 1st degree – slight displacement of the thumb, the formation of a barely noticeable bone thickening, complete absence of pain or mild discomfort after prolonged exercise;
    2. 2nd degree - the metatarsal bone is displaced by 20-30 degrees, discomfort is felt while walking, redness of the bone is observed;
    3. 3rd degree - pronounced displacement of 30-50 degrees, accompanied by tolerable but constant pain, rapid fatigue of the legs and limited joint mobility;
    4. 4th degree – formation of calluses on the proximal phalanges, severe pain while walking, lameness, limitation of movements.
    5. Bunion on the big toe: causes and consequences of orthopedic disease

      A bunion on the big toe appears due to deformation of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

      The main causes of the pathology:

    6. Hereditary predisposition. Research shows that the hereditary factor plays a dominant role in the development of the disease (about 70% of cases). The elasticity and strength of cartilage is provided by collagen. A genetic disorder of collagen synthesis or its mutation leads to impaired development of joints and bones, including an enlargement of the inner bone in the leg.
    7. Joint diseases (osteoarthrosis, arthritis, ankylosis, arthrosis, osteophyte, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and others). Joint diseases are characterized by degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory processes, hemorrhage into the joint cavity or proliferation of bone tissue.
    8. Repetitive microtrauma or one-time foot injury. Shoes that are too narrow displace the big toe bone, causing inflammation. Repeated microtraumas lead to swelling, poor blood circulation and the formation of a bunion on the side of the leg. Mechanical damage to the phalanx of the thumb as a result of a bruise or fracture can also lead to bone displacement and further development of orthopedic disease.
    9. Transverse flatfoot or ligamentous weakness. This disorder may be caused by a hereditary factor, overloading of the foot as a result of standing work, or wearing uncomfortable shoes (too high a heel, narrow toe, or inappropriate size). The fingers are in an unnatural position for a long time, which leads to inflammation of the mucous bursae in the joint of the thumb.
    10. Excess body weight. Excess weight increases wear and tear on joints, leading to joint instability and subsequent bone deformation.
    11. Elderly age. Collagen synthesis stops at the age of 21-25 years. This physiological feature is the most common cause of joint instability, dislocations, the development of osteoporosis and other complications in middle-aged and elderly people.
    12. Endocrine imbalance. A decrease in estrogen secretion is accompanied by an increase in cholesterol levels, which contributes to the formation of atheromatous plaques and poor blood circulation. Low levels of estrogen hormones lead to impaired bone metabolism (osteoporosis).
    13. Micronutrient deficiency. A lack of magnesium, polyunsaturated fatty acids and other beneficial components negatively affects the condition of cartilage tissue.
    14. Excessive physical activity. Intense sports and other stress can deform part of the foot, disrupting its basic functions.
    15. The result of autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis) or an infectious process. Some people's bodies do not produce antibodies that neutralize foreign cells and pathogens (viruses, bacteria). Thus, the joint tissues are gradually destroyed, which leads to dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Joint inflammation can be caused by staphylococcus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, gonococcus and other infections.
    16. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor after determining the degree of complexity of the disease and the causes of its occurrence. The effectiveness of treatment depends on many factors: age, general condition of the body, stage of the disease, physical activity.

      Conservative treatment methods are used at the initial stage of the disease (grade 1.2), surgical intervention is recommended when it is impossible to eliminate the deformity with therapeutic methods. Medicine knows more than 150 methods of surgical correction of the first metatarsophalangeal joint: chevron osteotomy, removal of abnormal bone growths, bone relocation, arthrodesis, osteotomy of the base of the first metatarsal bone and other methods. The orthopedic surgeon decides on surgical intervention after carefully examining the x-ray image.

      Conservative methods of treating hallux valgus:

    17. The use of special clamps, orthopedic insoles and interdigital plates. Orthopedic devices evenly distribute the load and prevent further deformation of the metatarsal bone. They also make the process of movement easier, eliminating pain.
    18. Massotherapy. Foot massage restores blood circulation and relieves tension. Before the massage procedure, it is recommended to dip your feet in a warm decoction of chamomile or oak bark. The most effective massage technique is spiral kneading of the bone for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, the inflamed area is rubbed with propolis tincture or red clay with sea salt is applied.
    19. Gymnastic exercises. Special exercises should be performed daily or as individually recommended by a doctor. Complex classes are designed to gradually restore joint mobility.
    20. Foot baths and compresses. Herbal baths relieve pain and swelling, help get rid of corns and calluses. Dandelion flowers, chamomile, fir oil, sea salt, and iodine are used as healing ingredients. Herbaceous plants are poured with boiled water, infused, and then foot baths are made. Iodine and sea salt are added to warm water, and compresses are made from fir oil.
    21. Load limitation. Excess weight, standing for long periods of time, and carrying heavy loads negatively affect the bones and joints of the feet. People suffering from hallux valgus should limit intense physical activity. The best option is walking for 30-40 minutes, swimming and daily therapeutic exercises. The joint should not be overloaded or completely relaxed.
    22. Pharmacotherapy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are suitable for relieving pain and inflammation. How to relieve big toe pain without using painkillers? Many are treated with folk remedies - an iodine network, a compress of burdock and turpentine, a tincture of lemon juice with the addition of aspirin.
    23. Diet and use of nutritional supplements. You should eat foods that strengthen cartilage and bone tissue. Fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, salmon, tuna), chicken, seaweed, mussels, shrimp, eggs, legumes are foods that improve the condition of connective tissues. It is advisable to exclude alcohol, hot spices, sweets and too fatty foods. It is healthy to eat jellied meat, fruit jelly, jelly, aspic, dried fruits, as well as natural juices from beets, carrots, grapefruit, grapes, plums and other fruits.
    24. Chondroprotectors and vitamins A, E, C and D of synthetic origin are taken as additional nutritional supplements.

      Preventive actions

      The most significant preventive measures for hallux valgus include:

    25. Body weight control;
    26. Moderate physical activity and physical activity (moderated walking and sports);
    27. Good nutrition;
    28. Preventive foot massage;
    29. Timely treatment of traumatic deformities (fractures, dislocations);
    30. Purchasing comfortable shoes.
    31. Traditional methods only help to temporarily reduce discomfort, so at the first sign of deformation of the big toe of the lower limb, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist or traumatologist. The specialist will examine the foot and prescribe treatment.

      Categories : Legs

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