Pain in your big toe joint can be due to a sudden injury like the sports-related “turf toe.
The firstmetatarsophalangealjoint is the joint that connects the big toe to your foot’s first metatarsal bone.
It plays a key role in supporting body weight and is often the source of big toe pain.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
Treatment will vary based on the cause, so see a healthcare provider for pain that persists or worsens.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
1.
Arthritis
The most common form of arthritis that affects the big toe joint is osteoarthritis.
This causes pain from the bone-on-bone rubbing when you move.
Trauma, such as a big toe fracture or dislocation, can also result in osteoarthritis.
Other less common types of arthritis that affect the big toe includerheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, andpsoriatic arthritis.
This can eventually lead to ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain.
Knobby growths calledbone spursalso may develop on the top of the big toe or the foot.
Bunion
Abunionis a large, knobby bump over the big toe joint.
Bunions develop due to displacement of the big toe joint.
Sometimes extra bone growth develops from the dislocation or arthritis develops in that joint.
There are things you might do to ease bunion symptoms.
Wearing properly fitted shoes can help prevent pain and injuries in your feet.
Running shoe shops are an excellent place to start (even if you’re not a runner).
Extensor tendonitis of the foot is sometimes referred to as metatarsal tendonitis.
Extensor tendinitis of this sort is usually resulting from repetitive stress on the ball of the foot and toes.
Wearing high heels, tight shoes, or poorly fitted shoes can also increase the risk.
Gentle stretching can keep the tendons and joints from getting stiff.
In later stages of untreated capsulitis, it may even cross over the big toe.
Without intervention, “crossover toe” will affect the big toe.
In the big toe, the ligaments prone to a sprain are called collateral ligaments.
Injury can occur during sports or by simply tripping and falling at home.
Severe strains may require immobilization of the foot for seven days or more.
Bursitis of the foot is typically treated with rest, ice utility, and NSAIDs.
Shoe inserts or custom orthotics can help correct imbalances in the foot and help ease pressure on the toe.
Severe cases may treated with acortisone shot, but this is used with caution to avoid tendon damage.
If all other treatments fail, surgery may be pursued.
The distal phalanx is the middle bone situated next to the metatarsophalangeal joint.
The proximal phalanx is the larger bone at the end of the toe.
Crutches can help you move while healing.
Rest, ice utility, and over-the-counter pain relievers likeTylenol (acetaminophen)can also help.
If the fracture is severe, it may first need to be reduced.
This involves manually putting the broken bones into the correct position before casting or immobilization.
Compound fractures may need surgery, using pins, plates, and screws to hold the bone fragments together.
Expect recovery to take anywhere from six to eight weeks, maybe more.
Gout
Gout can affect the big toe joint.
Symptoms of gouty arthritisinclude a swollen, red, hot, and intensely painful joint.
Severe joint damage may occur if gout attacks go untreated and occur repeatedly for several years.
In addition,gouttophimay form, which are visible deposits of uric acid on the toe.
If your kidneys cannot remove the uric acid properly, urate crystals can form and lead to gout.
If they’re elevated, this can be a clue that a gout attack is occurring.
Treatment for goutin the big toe joint entails treating both the toe and the high blood uric acid levels.
Sometimes, surgery can correct gouty arthritis damage.
Sesamoiditis
Thesesamoidbones of the foot are two tiny bones located under the first metatarsal bone.
They are part of the big toe joint.
They sit within a tendon that flexes the big toe down.
A rocker-bottom shoe has a curved sole, relieving pressure from the bottom of the toes.
Some sesamoid fractures may require surgery.
Turf Toe
Turf toeis a common sports-related injury.
It creates pain in the bottom of the big toe joint.
The pain stems from asprainor tears to a ligament in the toe.
Turf toe is often seen in athletes who play sports on artificial turf, like football and soccer.
Depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms can include swelling, discoloration, and pain.
Treatment for turf toe entails resting the big toe joint and allowing it to heal.
Custom orthotics with Morton’s extension can reduce motion.
You may need to ice, elevate, and possibly use crutches for an acute strain.
For more severe injuries, you may need to be referred to a foot surgeon.
Septic arthritis can lead to the rapid destruction of cartilage in the joint, causing long-term dysfunction.
Symptoms of septic arthritis include:
Septic arthritis is usually diagnosed using analysis of thesynovialfluid.
Septic arthritis is usually treated with a course of oral antibiotics.
People diagnosed with diabetes are also at higher risk.
Surgery may be needed to treat an infected ingrown toenail.
This may involve partial or full removal of the affected nail.
Prevention is key to avoiding complications.
It is also associated with conditions like tendonitis, bursitis, sprains, strains, and fractures.
Treatment depends on the cause of your big toe joint pain.
Sometimes, your big toe joint may heal with rest, ice, and sometimes crutches.
For severe cases, you may need surgery.
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