Big toe pain can stem from various causes that significantly affect your daily activities and overall comfort. One common cause of big toe pain is injury, particularly in athletes who might sprain, bruise, or even fracture their big toe. Osteoarthritis, common in middle-aged and elderly individuals, leads to joint pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe inflammation and potential toe deformities. Bunions, often worsened by wearing tight footwear, enlarge the base of the toe, causing considerable discomfort. Gout, a form of arthritis due to high uric acid levels, frequently affects the big toe, resulting in acute pain and inflammation. Additionally, Raynaud phenomenon, triggered by cold exposure, constricts blood vessels, leading to soreness. A chiropodist can diagnose the big toe to determine the cause and how to manage it. If your big toe hurts, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for a diagnosis and treatment solutions.

Toe pain is common and can have a variety of causes. Causes can range from a broken toe to an ingrown toenail. Many types of toe pain can be corrected, but any toe pain that inhibits your activities for an extended period should be discussed with a chiropodist. If you suffer from toe pain, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your feet.

Common Causes of Toe Pain 

• Trauma or fracture
• Cuts, sores, or bruises
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Turf Toe
• Morton’s neuroma
• Blisters
• Corns
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown toenails
• Plantar warts
• Athlete’s Foot

Symptoms of Toe Pain

• Toe deformity
• Burning
• Numbness
• Toenail deformity
• Wart or ulcer
• Swelling
• Redness

When to See a Chiropodist

• Bleeding or severe swelling
• Trauma, such as a broken bone
• Discoloration or extreme swelling
• Inability to bear weight
• Persistent pain
• Wounds that won’t heal

Diagnosis of Toe Pain

A chiropodist can conduct a thorough examination of the painful toe or toes in order to determine the best course of treatment. The exam may include assessing the tenderness of the area, taking an X-ray or other diagnostic test, or assessing your gait and range of motion. A discussion of what led to the advanced pain issue may follow. Included will likely be a health history, as well as a list of medications you are taking and other previous injuries you may have sustained.

Treatment for Toe Pain

With such a wide range of possible causes for toe pain, treatment can be varied in scope and length. Sometimes, the chiropodist will recommend lifestyle and activity changes. In cases of trauma or other injuries, X-rays or imaging tests will likely be used to determine the severity of the problem, particularly if any bones have been broken. Treatment may also include injections of pain-relief medication or anti-inflammatory drugs. Certain injuries will require the splinting, bracing, or wrapping of injured toes. Orthotics or special shoes may be prescribed in cases of bone deformities and gait issues. Removal of warts, calluses, and corns may be needed. In other cases, such as with patients who have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, ongoing treatment may be required to avoid more serious problems. 

Foot pain can arise from various conditions, each requiring different management strategies. Plantar fasciitis, characterized by heel pain, occurs due to inflammation of the plantar fascia. Relief can come from practicing stretching exercises, wearing proper footwear, and orthotics that can provide arch support. Achilles tendinitis causes pain at the back of the heel, often due to overuse. Rest and calf stretches can reduce inflammation. Metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the foot, typically results from high-impact activities or wearing ill-fitting shoes. Cushioning insoles and avoiding high heels can alleviate discomfort. Bunions, painful bony bumps on the side of the foot, often result from wearing tight shoes. Switching to wider footwear and using bunion pads can help. For general foot pain, maintaining a healthy weight, wearing supportive shoes, and practicing good foot hygiene are important. If you suffer from persistent or severe foot pain, it is suggested that you consult with a chiropodist, who can provide a thorough diagnosis and recommend a tailored treatment plan to address the underlying cause effectively.

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

• Plantar fasciitis

• Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes

• Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet

• Arthritis

• Flat feet

• Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

• Heel pain

• Arch pain

• Toe pain

• Ball of foot pain

• Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality

• Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toe walking is common among toddlers learning to walk, but if it persists beyond the age of two, it may be a sign of underlying issues. Classifications of toe walking in children include neurological, orthopedic, developmental, and idiopathic. Neurological toe walking may involve conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, which lead to muscle tightness or weakness. Orthopedic issues, such as clubfoot or inflammatory diseases, can cause pain that leads children to avoid placing their heels on the ground. Developmental delays and cognitive disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, can also contribute to toe walking. This may be caused by sensory processing challenges. Idiopathic toe walking, seen in healthy children without apparent medical problems, might be linked to tight calf muscles or a family history of toe walking. A chiropodist can help identify the specific cause of toe walking to help a parent make an appropriate health care decision for their child.  If your child consistently walks on the toes, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for an exam, diagnosis, and possible treatment options.

If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain in Children

While children can experience many of the same foot problems as adults do, some foot problems may be more common during childhood. 

Causes of foot pain in children can include:

• Deformities that are present from birth, such as flat feet or clubfoot

• Sever’s disease, which is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone

• Various sports injuries, such as sprains and fractures 

• Ingrown toenails

• Athlete’s foot

• Plantar warts

Prevention

It is important to look after the health of children’s feet in order to prevent future problems from arising. Keep your child’s feet clean and dry, trim their toenails regularly, ensure their shoes fit properly, and keep a watchful eye on any symptoms of foot pain, such as limping. If you notice any symptoms or if your child complains of foot pain, a chiropodist can help. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ingrown toenails can be painful and bothersome, but many non-surgical treatments are available to alleviate symptoms. At the first sign of pain, soaking the affected toe in warm soapy water for up to 20 minutes can soften the skin, allowing you to push it back from the nail edge. Applying antiseptic or anti-inflammatory creams may prevent infection and soothe the skin. A chiropodist can assist with more advanced non-surgical methods, such as using small pieces of sterile cotton to lift the nail away from the skin and securing it with a gauze bandage. Special tools like toenail braces or plastic gutter splints, applied by a chiropodist, can help to keep the nail from pressing into the skin and allow it to grow normally. These treatments typically require patience, as it may take several months for the nail to grow out of the inflamed area. If you have severe pain or notice pus or persistent inflammation, it is advisable to consult a chiropodist immediately. For help in managing an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: 

• Pain

• Swelling

• Redness

• Warmth

• Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. 

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.