Toes are tiny parts of the body but when there is something wrong, the pain can be substantial. Nerve damage can be the cause of pain in the foot or big toe. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that results from damage to the peripheral nerves and can cause numbness, pain, and weakness in the feet and toes. While it can be hard to figure out if this is going on, some things to look for include a slow but continual onset of numbness, a pins and needles feeling, or sharp, jabbing, or shooting pains in the feet that can spread to the toes. Additionally, one can suffer from a lack of coordination and falling as peripheral neuropathy can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. There are a host of causes for peripheral neuropathy, including but not limited to diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and infections. If you experience any of the symptoms described, it is important for you to see a podiatrist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
- Trauma
- Sports injury
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Corns and calluses
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Blisters
- Ingrown toenails
- Sprains
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
- Severe pain
- Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
- Signs of infection
- Continued swelling
- Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
