Pain in the joints of the legs can occur for various reasons: from forced incorrect position of the foot for a certain time to severe destructive processes of bone tissue. More often, middle-aged and older people complain of painful sensations. But as a result of injuries, accidents and congenital pathologies, the toe joints of both children and adolescents hurt.
Adequate and competent treatment is possible with an accurate diagnosis. The chances of a successful recovery depend on how thoroughly and correctly the examination is carried out and the true causes of the disease are determined.
The disease is caused by a violation of the metabolism of purine bases, as a result of which the level of uric acid salts in the blood increases significantly . With the blood flow, salts (urates) enter the joints and are deposited in the form of tophi - tubercles in the subcutaneous tissue near the joints. They are found not only above the joints, but also on the Achilles tendon, on the ears, etc. Pain in the joints of the legs increases with increased physical activity and the use of uncomfortable shoes.
An acute gout attack can last from several hours to several days. An exacerbation of the disease is provoked by poor diet, alcohol consumption, excessive coffee consumption, etc. Even such a useful procedure as visiting a bathhouse can cause severe pain in the joints of the legs.
With this disease, the inflammatory process affects not only the joints of the thumbs, but also affects the soft connective tissues. Painful symptoms can manifest themselves as a result of metabolic disorders, with lupus erythematosus, as a manifestation of rheumatism, psoriasis and other pathologies. The pain, as a rule, is not localized in one area, but spreads to other joints.
Characteristic signs of arthritis:
The causes of arthritis are varied, but pain in the thumbs in most cases is mainly observed in reactive and psoriatic arthritis.
The dystrophic process of destruction of the joints of the thumbs occurs as a result of gradual degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Pain at rest does not bother you at first and appears only with increased physical activity.
Causes of the disease: long-term (for many years) use of narrow and tight shoes, lack of minerals in the body, etc. Osteoarthritis of the leg joints is diagnosed mainly in women.
Severe pain and the subsequent inflammatory process occurs as a result of injuries. People break their toes when they get caught on furniture, fall, or get hit. Phalanxes are the most vulnerable areas.
When a big toe is broken, a person experiences:
Fractures of the thumbs do not go unnoticed, while pain in other fingers may be ignored. A person thinks that the cause of pain is a bruise or sprain, although the phalanx may be broken.
Pathogenic microorganisms, entering bone tissue and bone marrow as a result of various pathologies, cause a purulent-necrotic process. Leukocytes “attack” the painful microflora, resulting in the formation of a large amount of pus. If the disease is not treated, osteomyelitis can affect not only bone, but also soft tissue.
An acute inflammatory process causes symptoms:
The legs experience a very heavy load because a person relies on them while walking, jumping, and running. They perform the function of shock absorption, thanks to which a person maintains an upright body position and does not suffer physical injuries during hard work, strenuous training, etc.
Incorrect position of the feet disrupts the functioning of the entire musculoskeletal system, forcing its “links” to take on the load “imposed” on the diseased feet. As a result, not only the feet hurt, but also the ankle, knee joints, and spine. Uneven load on the lower limbs leads to the fact that the big toes “protrude” outward and upward. Other joints also move along with them. Signs are observed at different degrees of clubfoot.
With flat feet, which takes many years to treat, there is a flattening of the arches of the feet. The muscles and tendons, trying to compensate for its incorrect position, contract and the fingers tuck inward. As a result, the joints protrude above the surface of the skin. The problem is complicated by the use of tight, narrow shoes, which rub the skin in the area of the protruding tubercles.
If wide, loose shoes are preferred, the situation does not change, because muscle tension leads to severe aching pain throughout the entire foot area. Hammertoes cause painful calluses that cover the protruding bone tissue.
Dense growths on areas of the feet subject to friction and stress represent a large number of dead cells. They are found on the balls of the feet, heels and big toes. Although such formations are painless, when wearing uncomfortable shoes and increased physical activity they can make themselves felt with severe pain and an unpleasant burning sensation.
People who, trying to cut their thumbnails as short as possible, involuntarily provoke a painful phenomenon, are susceptible to the development of this pathology. A piece of an overgrown nail digs into the skin and causes severe pain. The skin becomes swollen, inflamed, and red. On palpation, a sharp throbbing pain is felt. Possible formation of suppuration. You should immediately go to a hospital, where a piece of the nail will be removed and the wound will be treated with disinfectant solutions.
The arches of the feet are “equipped” with a network of nerve endings. As a result of prolonged use of high-heeled shoes (women are more susceptible to the disease), increased load on the soles of the feet, nerves may be pinched, which is why traumatic neuritis quickly develops. The pain is localized in the toes, but can spread throughout the foot and move to the lower leg.
Causes of discomfort: poor circulation in the lower extremities, which is often accompanied by pinched nerve endings, severe pain in the area of the big toes, throughout the foot, and in the legs. The burning sensation intensifies at night and in the evening. Treatment of the disease takes years. It must be comprehensive and systematic.
Big toes hurt with the following vascular pathologies:
Among others, experts identify 5 main causes of pain.
The most common causes of pain in the big toes are:
If pain is caused by concomitant diseases, treatment should be aimed at eliminating secondary causes. At the same time, measures are being taken in other directions: both medicinal treatment methods and non-traditional methods, such as mud baths, influencing acupuncture points, taking anti-inflammatory decoctions, etc., provide good help.
Why is it so important to listen to these recommendations? The toe joints are less susceptible to the development of pathological processes if a person:
Joint pain can occur independently or be caused by concomitant diseases. Diagnostics includes:
Only a specialist can provide qualified assistance in such situations. Before the doctor arrives, it is necessary, if possible, to immobilize the joint, free it from shoes, and remove socks and tights. You should take a body position in which there is no load on the joint. Painkillers available in home medicine cabinets will help reduce the severity of pain.
Upon arrival, the doctor will immediately examine the patient. Hospitalization may be required. In a clinical setting, through detailed laboratory and instrumental studies, it is possible to find out the true cause of pain and prescribe adequate treatment.
Treatment of big toe joints should be comprehensive. This includes:
It is recommended to visit specialists: orthopedist, surgeon, neurologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist. The list of specialists is extensive, but only on the basis of a detailed and thorough examination of the whole body can we assume what was the cause of severe pain in the joints of the big toes.
Health is a priceless gift that should not be wasted. It is a pity that people begin to understand this when they are faced with serious problems caused by a sharp deterioration in health. If they had appreciated it earlier, they wouldn’t be sick now.
FAQ
The site provides reference information. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of the disease is possible under the supervision of a conscientious doctor.
Pain in the joint area can be caused by inflammation of tissues that are not directly related to them.
The joint capsules of the toes have different thicknesses on the side of the foot and on the side of its rear. This is explained by the fact that they are strengthened from below and on the sides by plantar and collateral ligaments.
Rheumatic joint damage occurs through autoimmune mechanisms. Throughout life, the body's immune system accumulates information about foreign tissues that it has encountered. Some of these tissues are highly similar to the tissues of some internal organs. Because of this, the next time the body comes into contact with foreign antigens ( the smallest receptors located on the surface of any living cells, ensuring their individuality ), aggression of the immune system develops not only towards foreign cells, but also towards its own.
Arthrosis deformans is a degenerative disease of cartilage tissue. Most often it affects large joints, but in severe cases it also affects small joints of the hands and feet.
Some people believe that a small foot is a sign of good taste and noble birth. Because of this, they deliberately wear smaller shoes to fit their ideals. However, unfortunately, this approach has a negative impact on the health of the joints of the toes.
Gout is a disease caused by a violation of the metabolism of purines ( chemical compounds that play an extremely important role in the process of cell division ). In this case, excess uric acid is formed, which can crystallize in various tissues of the body in the form of nodes ( tophi ). The most common manifestation of this disease is arthritis ( inflammation of the joint ). In the classic course, one large joint is affected, but exceptions may occur. One of the criteria is damage to the joints of the big toe, with the presence of acute swelling and pain.
This type of arthritis develops against the background of psoriasis, a disease with an unclear etiology. Joint damage in psoriasis usually develops after many years of the disease, when its skin symptoms have long appeared. In 10 - 15% of cases, psoriatic arthritis may precede skin manifestations.
Hemarthrosis is a pathological condition in which the joint cavity fills with blood. In healthy people, this can occur due to injury with rupture of the joint capsule or the ligaments that strengthen it.
Infectarthritis refers to those types of joint damage that develop during the natural course of certain infectious diseases. The mechanism of development of these arthritis is the direct penetration of the pathogen into the joint tissue with the development of its pathogenic effect.
In some cases, allergies manifest as inflammation of the joints. Most often, this manifestation of allergy can be observed with serum sickness. The mechanism of this inflammation is the deposition of circulating immune complexes on the endothelium ( inner lining of blood vessels ) of the vessels of the synovial lining of the joints. When these complexes reach the endothelium, other cells of the immune system immediately join them, causing swelling of the surrounding tissues.
Joint damage in tuberculosis can occur through two mechanisms - direct penetration of the pathogen into the joint and a specific toxic-allergic reaction ( Poncet arthritis ).
Damage to the osteoarticular system in diabetes mellitus is one of the late complications of this disease. According to statistics, it more often affects females who have had type I diabetes for six or more years. In type II diabetes, this complication develops several times less frequently. Predominant damage to the joints of the feet, including the joints of the toes, is noted.
Synovitis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane of a joint of any etiology. The mechanism of pain in this case is associated with the effect of mechanical and chemical irritation on pain receptors located in the thickness of the synovial membrane.
Endocrine arthralgia refers to joint pain that occurs due to pathology of one of the endocrine organs. In particular, such joint pain can occur with ovarian dysfunction, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, etc.
Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system rejects the epithelium of the large intestine. Edema in this disease can be caused by cross-autoimmune aggression towards the synovium of the joints. A distinctive feature of such edema is symmetry. Their appearance is more typical for renal edema than for cardiac edema. In other words, they are warm and soft, but are localized mainly on the feet and ankle joints. Severe swelling can manifest itself as pain in the joints of the fingers.
Traumatic muscle tendon strain
Each toe is connected to two to three muscle tendons, allowing the fingers to make all the movements available to them. When a foot injury occurs, these tendons can become stretched and cause pain. However, due to the fact that the tendons pass next to the capsule without intertwining with it, the above-mentioned pain cannot be attributed to inflammation of the joint.
The tendons of the toe flexor muscles, located on their plantar surface, are anatomically subject to strong friction due to the fact that the weight of almost the entire body presses on them. In order to keep this friction to a minimum, during evolution, special synovial sheaths were formed around these tendons. They are a kind of two-layer sheaths in which the tendons move almost unhindered, without coming into contact with the tissues surrounding the vagina itself.
Periostitis is an inflammation of the periosteum - a dense membrane covering the outside of the bone. This membrane is extremely densely innervated and vascularized ( supplied with blood vessels ). In addition, it contains a large number of growth cells responsible for the restoration of bone after a fracture and for its growth in thickness.
In some cases, muscle pain can be very similar to joint pain. In particular, an example is myositis ( inflammation of muscle tissue ) of infectious or other origin. The pain intensifies when moving the finger to which the tendon of the inflamed muscle is attached. Thus, the patient moves his finger and thinks that he has problems with the joint, while the true cause of the pain lies in a disease of the muscle or its tendon.
Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow. Pain in this disease is also extremely pronounced due to a multiple increase in intraosseous pressure. Increased pressure in the bone leads to overstretching of the abundantly innervated periosteum, which is the direct cause of pain.
Psychogenic rheumatism is one of the most mysterious diseases existing in medicine today. Its peculiarity is the presence of severe joint pain without any evidence of organic damage to the joints themselves or periarticular structures. In addition to pain, patients complain of insomnia, increased fatigue, headaches, impaired concentration, a feeling of numbness in the limbs, etc.
Consultation with a traumatologist
Contacting a traumatologist makes sense when pain in a joint is caused by a bruise or sprain of the capsule, ligaments and nearby tendons.
Consultation with an allergist may be required when pain in the joints of the legs is combined with other signs of allergy. Despite the fact that joint pain of this etiology is quite rare, an allergic cause of its occurrence should be excluded, since this is relatively easy to do and it prevents the development of subsequent complications.
Contacting an infectious disease specialist makes sense when inflammation of the joints develops against the background of clinical signs of one of the infectious diseases ( erysipelas, scarlet fever, gonorrhea, brucellosis, measles, etc. ).
Consultation with a rheumatologist may be required for systemic connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, etc.
Consultation with a hematologist is necessary if hemarthrosis occurs due to hemophilia or other pathologies of the hemostatic system ( blood clotting ).
Consultation with a phthisiatrician is necessary if tuberculous arthritis occurs, which can develop when an infection joins an existing injury, as well as when the allergic background increases ( Poncet's arthritis ).
Consultation with an endocrinologist may be necessary if arthritis is suspected due to hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, or diabetes mellitus.
In rare cases, swelling of the feet and legs can occur with an autoimmune disease such as ulcerative colitis. They resolve on their own after the exacerbation of the underlying disease has stopped.
Contacting a dermatologist is necessary to confirm or rule out psoriatic arthritis.
Surgical intervention may be required when inflammation of the joints of the toes is a consequence of age-related changes in the skeleton of the legs due to deforming arthrosis. In addition, complications of joint inflammation such as suppuration, rupture of tendons and ligaments, concomitant osteomyelitis, etc. are treated surgically.
Radiography is one of the most optimal studies in terms of price and information content. With proper interpretation of photographs taken in the correct projections, it is possible in almost all cases to differentiate joint pain caused by a traumatic factor or osteomyelitis from other causes.
Ultrasound examination is actively used in many areas of medicine. This method has also been adapted for the study of joints, but in practice it is not used so often. However, it allows you to assess the thickness and condition of the articular surfaces, synovium and periarticular anatomical structures. In addition, if there is blood or foreign bodies in the joint cavity, this study allows them to be detected.
CT is a modern high-precision x-ray examination. It is performed for target areas or the whole body, depending on the objectives. Since this method inherently involves some irradiation of the patient, it is recommended to use it only on the necessary areas of the body. CT scan visualizes dense bone structures most clearly. The limitation for performing CT is the patient's weight is more than 160 kg. In some clinics there are CT scanners designed for patients weighing up to 200 kg, but their number is small. If administration of a contrast agent is required, it is strongly recommended that an allergy test to this drug be tested first.
This study is also considered one of the most modern and highly accurate, but has its own characteristics. MRI is not a radiological method, so there is no risk of radiation exposure when using it. In this study, soft tissues containing a large proportion of fluid are especially well visualized. The limitation to the use of MRI is the presence of metal objects in the body ( implants, dental crowns, dentures, staples, knitting needles, etc. ) and the patient’s weight is more than 120 kg. If it is necessary to use a contrast agent, you should make sure in advance that the patient does not have an allergic reaction to it by performing a skin test.
a special instrument for examining the intra-articular cavity into them . However, this method exists and can be used in exceptional cases.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Representatives of this group of drugs are used most often for joint pain of any location. The mechanism of their action is associated with blocking the enzyme responsible for the formation of inflammatory mediators. The effectiveness of these drugs is usually high, however, due to the negative effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, these drugs are used in short and medium-duration courses. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to combine systemic and local drugs.
Hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective among all existing analogs, since their mechanism of action affects all pathogenetic chains of the development of the inflammatory process. However, their use is also limited by a wide range of side effects, such as immunosuppression, gastric ulcers, iatrogenic hypocortisolism, etc.
Chondroprotectors are used when pain in the joints of the toes is caused by arthrosis deformans. These drugs improve the regenerative properties of cartilage tissue, leading to a slowdown in the progression of articular cartilage destruction. Medicines from this group are prescribed in long courses over many years.
Antibiotics are used when bacterial inflammation of the joint structures or surrounding soft tissues is suspected. They are also used to relieve exacerbations of rheumatological diseases and prevent them.
Antiviral drugs are used quite rarely, due to the narrow focus of their action. Only with an accurately established diagnosis and the desired phase of the disease ( usually the stage of virus reproduction, i.e., the onset of the disease ) can you select the necessary drug and begin treatment that would be effective. Unfortunately, there are not many such cases even in highly developed countries, due to the difficulty of timely identification of such patients.
Anti-tuberculosis drugs are taken when the presence of Koch's mycobacterium in the synovial fluid of a diseased joint or in case of toxic-allergic arthritis of Ponce is proven. In other cases, treatment with drugs of this group is contraindicated due to their high toxicity.
Painkillers are often used for joint pathologies. They are prescribed systemically and locally in the form of ointments, creams, lotions and nerve blocks. The disadvantage is the short duration of the effect and side reactions from other organs and systems.
Antiallergic drugs are rarely used for their intended purpose, since joint pain of an allergic cause is also rare. But for indirect purposes they are used much more often, due to their ability to block the inflammatory process by mechanisms other than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Blood products may be needed only in cases where intra-articular hemorrhage has developed against the background of a pathology of the hematocoagulant system.
Drugs from this group are used for infectious arthritis to correct water and electrolyte imbalance caused by other manifestations of infection ( fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. ).
These drugs are indicated for prevention rather than treatment of diabetic arthropathy, since good control of blood glucose levels throughout life allows the onset of this complication to be delayed as much as possible.
Medicines from this group are used only for one disease - gout. They are often combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to quickly relieve an attack.
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy, combined with the use of iodine preparations, is prescribed for hypothyroidism, which is one of the causes of swelling and inflammation of the small joints of the toes.
Bisphosphonates are drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis caused by hyperparathyroidism - excessive release of the main hormone of the parathyroid glands into the blood.
These medications are used to ease the tolerance of menopausal syndrome, one of the manifestations of which is pain in the joints of the toes.
Magnetic therapy involves deep heating of soft and dense tissues in a magnetic field. This method improves blood supply to tissues, stimulates restoration processes in cartilage and periosteum, reduces tissue swelling, reduces tension in vascular smooth muscles, etc.
This therapy is based on the beneficial effects of high-frequency wave energy on body tissues. This energy improves the supply of oxygen to the inflammatory focus, accelerates metabolism in it, eliminates swelling, promotes the proliferation of cambial ( immature ) cells of bone and cartilage tissue, which, in turn, leads to their accelerated recovery.
Ultrasound helps relax the smooth muscles of blood and lymphatic vessels, which leads to the elimination of swelling and improved blood supply to the source of inflammation. In addition, this radiation provokes microvibrations in the thickness of the cartilage, leading to accelerated growth and healing of defects.
Amplipulse relieves muscle tension in the area of the inflamed joint, improving blood flow to it and accelerating regeneration processes.
These methods lead to dilation of the blood vessels of the capsule of the diseased joint and the subchondral base. This, in turn, stimulates the migration of young “building” cells to the inflammatory focus, restoring defects in articular cartilage.
Electrophoresis is a physical method of delivering drugs deep into the subcutaneous space. The entry of high dilution solutions through the skin creates a depot of the drug, which is subsequently slowly consumed, affecting surrounding tissues. In this way, electrolytes, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, enzyme preparations, etc. are introduced into the joint area.
Honey, beeswax, melted fat, 40 - 70% ethyl alcohol, butter, petroleum jelly, etc. are used as thickeners and means to improve intradermal permeability.
The first and fifth toes are most often injured. The reason in most cases is that they are located at the edges of the foot and are the first to encounter uneven terrain. In addition, the metatarsophalangeal joint of the first toe is one of the three fulcrum points of the foot that, in an upright position, experience the load of the entire body.
Arthrosis deformans is a degenerative disease of cartilage tissue that develops after reaching a certain age. The mechanism of its development is a closed cycle between the compression of cartilage tissue and the worsening of metabolism in it due to the increasingly problematic access of nutrients to all its departments. Thus, in the absence of appropriate treatment, the condition of the cartilage gradually worsens until it is completely erased.
Gout refers to diseases associated with impaired metabolism of uric acid in the body. Due to the fact that it is not excreted in the required quantity by the kidneys, it accumulates in the biological fluids of the body. Once in the joint fluid, uric acid crystallizes, greatly increasing the friction force between the articular surfaces and causing severe inflammation of all joint structures. Statistically, gout most often affects large joints. On the foot, the joints of the big toe are more likely to become inflamed. The mechanism of pain is associated, as in previous cases, with mechanical and chemical irritation of the nerve endings of the cartilage and synovium.
Representatives of this group of drugs are the most widely used in medicine. There are a large number of active ingredients and even more drugs based on them, since each manufacturer gives its drug a special commercial name.
The joints of the toes hurt for various reasons. Pain can be caused by a number of disorders, such as: gout, arthritis, arthrosis, trauma, osteomyelitis, hallux valgus, abnormal foot position, hammertoe deformity, calluses, Morton's nerve, diabetes mellitus, vascular lesions, etc. After an accurate diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment is carried out.
Diseases of the legs, such as gout, which is characterized by an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of salts in the joints of the legs, manifest themselves as pronounced disorders. There is pain in the joints of the toes when walking and at rest, the local temperature in the joint area increases, they turn red and swell. From the fingers, a sharp pain spreads up the leg. After such an attack subsides, the joint returns to its normal state.
Attacks of gout are provoked by: alcohol abuse, meat and fatty foods, coffee, strong tea, cocoa, bath procedures.
Arthritis, which is a chronic or acute inflammation of the joint and adjacent tissues, manifests itself in the form of various connective tissue pathologies (lupus erythematosus, metabolic disorders, rheumatism, psoriasis, etc.) Individual damage to the toes is rare. More often, arthritis spreads to other joints. With it, the pain is symmetrical - on both legs. Arthritic pain in an inflamed foot is very intense, especially when walking. The toes hurt both when moving and at rest. Swelling appears, the skin over the areas of inflammation turns purple, and the local temperature rises. Other symptoms: poor joint mobility, joint deformation, crunching under load.
With osteoarthritis, a pathology that destroys the cartilage tissue of the joints of the toes, pain occurs at times due to physical activity, when walking, and subsides at rest. However, as the disease progresses, joint pain intensifies. It does not go away with rest and may occur at night.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis: stiffness in the morning, immobility in the joints, painful seals along the edges of the joints, crunching when moving. This disease mainly affects women who have been wearing pointed-toe shoes for many years. This first deforms the big toe, followed by all the others, which causes pain and prevents the foot from being mobile.
When fingers are broken, pain and lameness when walking do not go away for a long time. For relief, a person tries to lean on his heel. Nails are often injured, which can lead to infection. Sometimes a person who has broken their toes may not even be aware of it at first. The injury may not bother you too much, so the victim is in no hurry to treat it. But after some time, as the pain in the foot intensifies, you have to consult a doctor.
A purulent-necrotic process (osteomyelitis), which occurs in the bone, affecting the bone marrow and adjacent soft tissues, is a consequence of an infection entering the body, leading to suppuration. Often, osteomyelitis of the toes is a complication after bone injuries, for example, an open fracture. In this case, the body temperature rises to 39-40 C. Other symptoms are acute pain in the foot, chills, vomiting, headache, and possible loss of consciousness. The affected bones and joints do not move due to painful contracture. The skin on the affected area becomes very red, often with clearly visible veins.
If the disease becomes chronic, the patient’s condition improves, the intensity of pain in the foot, in particular when walking, decreases, and it becomes aching. As a rule, fistulas with small purulent discharge form in the affected area. Subsequently, the joints of the foot become immobile and the bones become deformed.
If the position of the foot is incorrect, pain in the joints of the toes arises from the fact that when walking the load on it is distributed unevenly. There is a gradual pushing of the thumb outward and upward, and as a result, the rest are shifted behind it.
Flat feet and increased load threaten the foot with the development of hammertoe deformity. The tendons of the arch of the foot give it stability, and additional stress is placed on the muscles responsible for the mobility of the toes. As a result, the fingers are pulled back and curled up. This leads to significant protrusion of the joints, which cause painful calluses. On such “hammer” toes, due to friction when resting on shoes, irritation appears in different places, which over time can lead to ulcers on the skin. The more the deformity increases, the more painful it becomes for the patient and the more difficult it is to move his legs when walking.
Pain from Morton's neuroma (inflammation of the ligaments of the foot) occurs due to excessive pressure on the nerves running along the arch of the foot. This pathology most often occurs in women due to prolonged microtrauma of the feet from wearing high-heeled shoes. Pinched nerves lead to chronic traumatic neuritis, when pain under the toes does not go away. If you walk for long periods of time or carry heavy objects, the pain gets worse. The fingers themselves hurt and higher, right up to the shin.
Pain in the toes when walking, along with loss of sensation, are the most common symptoms of diabetes. In this case, a burning sensation may be felt in the feet, especially at night. The reason for this is impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities and damage to nerve endings.
Toes also hurt when arterial vessels are damaged. In this case, the following symptoms are characteristic: whitening of the toes, pain during physical exertion and during hypothermia. There are two main pathologies with such symptoms: obliterating endarteritis and atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities.
Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities is another cause of pain in the toes. The occurrence of the disease occurs due to the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the surface of the walls of blood vessels. In this case, the walls of the blood vessels become denser, which causes compressive pain in the muscles of the leg and foot. When walking, my fingers hurt more. An additional symptom of the disease is a feeling of coldness in the toes even in the warm season.
Only a specialist should make an accurate diagnosis and, accordingly, prescribe treatment for pain in the foot and finger joints. If you experience pain in your toes, a traumatologist, rheumatologist or dermatologist will help (depending on the etiology of the disease). Don't try to treat it yourself. Without consulting a doctor, you can take the following measures: wear comfortable, spacious, lightweight shoes with low heels; carefully monitor foot hygiene; try to avoid injuries and damage to the feet; carry out preventive procedures such as foot baths and foot massage. It is better to take care of your feet in advance than to treat them later.
Currently, joint diseases are in second place as a cause of disability. And in terms of their prevalence, they occupy the third position. Pain is the main symptom of such conditions. It can also occur in case of damage to the periarticular tissues.
Main joints of the lower extremities:
Very often, unpleasant sensations occur in the area of the leg joints. Currently, every second patient experiences similar sensations. It is possible that in some cases the person himself is responsible for their occurrence. Next, we’ll figure out why leg joints hurt.
One of its main properties is the ability to move in space. This process becomes possible thanks to the musculoskeletal system. It should be clearly understood that these are not separate tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones. We are talking about a very complex system. The result of its work is influenced by every element located in it. It is enough to imagine that at least one of them failed. What happens then? Often in such cases the joints of the legs hurt. Treatment should be started immediately. If a person could see every day all the work that his lower limbs do, he would most likely be very impressed. In addition, he would certainly have a desire to take care of them. The fact is that the legs are exposed to enormous loads every day.
The large joints of the hands and feet are often affected. They hurt both while walking and at rest. The condition often worsens at night. The joints of the toes also often hurt. The most common pathologies in this area include gout, arthritis and osteoarthritis. The latter is also very often called arthrosis.
Leg joints hurt for various reasons. The main ones are the following:
With this pathology, the joints of the legs hurt due to:
The causes of this disease have not yet been fully studied. If it occurs, the immune system begins to produce antibodies to the joint membranes of the body. In this case, inflammatory processes occur.
With this pathology, the joints of the legs hurt due to:
Thanks to the information presented above, it becomes approximately clear why the joints of the legs hurt. How to treat the disorder will depend on the specific pathology. The reasons for its occurrence must also be taken into account. It is advisable to use effective and adequate therapy. In this matter, timely consultation with a doctor plays a very important role. Thus, you should not go looking for a panacea from neighbor grandmothers or on the Internet. In this case, a qualified examination is necessary. After this, the doctor will prescribe a suitable complex treatment. Next, we will consider in more detail the pathologies in which the joints of the legs hurt, and how to treat this or that disorder.
As a rule, this disease affects large joints. We are talking about the knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis). The course of osteoarthritis is characterized by dull pain. It begins to intensify during the daytime. This is especially noticeable during physical work. In the morning or after a long rest, the pain begins to subside. However, it intensifies as the pathology develops. As for severe cases, the pain can be constant. The discomfort does not subside even after a good rest.
During the early stages of this disease, the patient begins to experience pain while walking. They continue to spread to the groin area. All discomfort may disappear after a short rest. The pain begins to be constant as the disease progresses. As a result, every movement can cause discomfort. The third stage of osteoarthritis is characterized by loss of mobility of the hip joint.
The symptoms of this disease are characterized by gradual development. At the very beginning, a person is bothered by periodic pain in the knee area. They intensify after physical activity. The second stage of the disease brings new, more intense pain. Joint deformation begins. Movement is restricted. The knee begins to lose its function already in the third stage of the disease. The pain becomes unbearable, mobility is sharply reduced. In addition, severe deformation of the limbs occurs.
This is a fairly common pathology. Damage to the first metatarsophalangeal joint is in third position after gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis. Here, congenital deformation of this area can play a significant role. Long-term trauma also makes a significant contribution. During the initial stage of the disease, pain in the joints of the toes appears only after prolonged physical exertion. Very often a crunching sound occurs while driving. The pain begins to increase gradually. At this time, the intensity of the crunch also increases. The possibility of foot deformation cannot be ruled out. The deviation of the first finger begins, it seems to “float” onto the second. A protruding bone located on the inner surface of the foot is a characteristic manifestation of this disease. The affected element begins to noticeably lose mobility. When the joint of the big toe hurts, the patient cannot wear shoes with heels, nor can he feel comfortable in narrow lasts. There is a partial restriction of motor function. The patient has to use special mobility aids. We are talking about walkers, crutches, canes, and so on.
So, the joints of the legs hurt. How to treat the lower extremities? First of all, therapy is aimed at reducing discomfort and unpleasant sensations. It should also relieve inflammation and improve the motor function of the affected joint. Many people have pain in their leg joints for a long time. What to do in this case? For chronic pathologies, it is advisable to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They can be presented in the form of ointments and injections. Various methods of physiotherapy are also used.
This disease in most cases affects the small joints of the legs and arms. The course of the disease is very difficult. Its treatment involves influencing the local inflammatory process, as well as the immune system. Appropriate medications are selected by a specialist depending on the patient’s condition. We are talking about NSAIDs, immunostimulants and immunosuppressants. In the event of inflammation and pain in the joints, first of all, the therapeutic effect should be aimed at eliminating the pathology. The same applies to the presence of infectious diseases. First, these pathologies must be eliminated. Only then are anti-inflammatory drugs introduced into treatment.
This disease begins to be suspected when pain occurs in the joints of the toes. During the life process, the formation of purine begins. This happens directly in the liver. Thus, uric acid is produced chemically. Normally, it should be excreted from the body. However, if purine metabolism is disrupted, it remains there. Its accumulation begins, resulting in the formation of uric acid salts. These are the main causes of gout. The pathology begins to be asymptomatic. The most severe pain occurs when the process of crystallization of uric acid occurs. These sensations are very exhausting for a person. Most often, the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is affected. It begins to turn red, swell and become extremely painful. In some cases, patients experience unbearable pain even with light touches of bed linen.
Very often it leads to joint pain. Typically this occurs due to injury:
In the case of injuries, pain is felt even in a calm state. They intensify with movement. Swelling of the affected area occurs, the skin in this place begins to turn red. During the day after injury, it is necessary to periodically apply ice to the damaged joint. Duration – no more than 20 minutes. The next day you can start using warm compresses. Thanks to this, the joint tissues will begin to recover faster, and blood circulation will also improve. It is advisable to use pain-relieving ointments. For example, drugs such as Indomethacin or Diclofenac.
This disease causes fatigue in the lower extremities. Flat feet also cause pain in the joints of the legs. Therapy primarily involves giving up tight shoes. The same applies to high heels. You need to start wearing orthopedic insoles. The patient must perform special exercises.