Why Does My Big Toe Feel So Sore?

Does your big toe hurt? This toe plays a significant role in your balance and walking, so you likely need treatment to return it to normal. Here are a few reasons why it might hurt.

Your big toe has a big job.

You may not spend much time thinking about it, but your big toe plays a significant role in your balance and walking. If it starts to hurt, it can affect your daily life — sometimes to the point where you must adjust your everyday routine.

You want to make the pain go away, of course, but to do that, you need to diagnose the cause. Fortunately, Dr. Pedro Cosculluela and our entire team at Austin Foot & Ankle Institute have vast experience treating big toes.

Here are a few common reasons your big toe might be giving you trouble.

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is one of the most widespread reasons for pain in the big toe. This condition includes osteoarthritis, or hallux rigidus, a form of arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling, typically due to years of wear-and-tear from repetitive movements involving the big toe.

This condition can make it painful and difficult to bend your toe.

Bunion

Bunions are another common culprit for big toe pain. A bunion is a hard, bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe when the joint moves out of alignment. Bunions develop gradually over time, causing pain and swelling. Roomier shoes often help alleviate some of the pain.

Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the skin, causing infection, redness, swelling, and pain. They’re usually the result of trimming nails incorrectly (cut them straight across, not in a curve). Recurring ingrown toenails may require professional treatment.

Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden pain in the big toe, as well as swelling, redness, and heat. A buildup of uric acid is the usual trigger of gout, which can be painful during a flare-up.

Injury

Other injuries can cause pain in your toe, including fractures and a ligament sprain, also known as turf toe, that occurs when your toe bends too far or too quickly.

Another type of injury is sesamoiditis, which presents as a dull, aching pain under the ball of your big toe, often resulting from overuse.

Many of the issues that cause big toe pain share similar symptoms, so the best way to determine an effective treatment plan is to see a professional who can accurately diagnose the origin of your soreness or pain.

To schedule an appointment with the expert team at Austin Foot & Ankle Institute, call our office in Austin or Bee Cave, Texas, today.