7 Reasons Why Big Toe Hurts When Walking

A sore big toe can be extremely troubling because it makes walking difficult. If the pain is deep, swelling may have already set in, but if not, you are probably dealing with one of many different conditions. It’s important to rule out more severe injuries before settling on one diagnosis because there are times when other issues could put your health at risk. Here is a list of six possible reasons your big toe hurts when walking that should help you diagnose the severity of the problem and then take steps to find relief.

7 Reasons Your Big Toe Is Hurting

Bunion

The bunion will often cause pain close to the tip of your big toe since this condition changes how pressure above or below the joint affects it. This may lead to further joint or bone problems. It can also cause muscle spasms and swelling in the joint. There is a risk of broken bones if you don’t get it treated early.

Ingrown Toenail

The nail grows through the skin at the base of the big toe, causing pain at night. If you are not running or playing sports that cause your toe to move, then it may be fantastic, but if you are doing these things, then it will hurt. Then you will likely choose to ignore the problem until it is too late for your big toe because this type of injury makes the nail expand sideways where it rubs against bone, causing further pain and possible nerve damage.

Turf Toe

This type of injury results from the big toe rubbing on the ground when walking. It is not just bunion that causes this condition either. You have more chance to get turf toe if you have flat feet or have weight on your big toe. The pressure of your foot can cause it to swell, leading to pain and possibly infection.

Arthritis

This process occurs when your body’s response to arthritis makes it inflame or form painful joints in parts of the body, including your big toe. The symptoms may be related to inflammation that affects one part of the body but then spreads throughout the entire body, causing pain everywhere. In addition, the joint of joint may become sensitive to touch, which will cause pain whenever either of your feet moves.

Sesamoiditis

This is a painful condition that can develop in the area between your big toe and second toe on the same foot. This might start from an injury from overuse, or some other problem might cause it. It causes significant pain that makes it hard to wear shoes or walk at all. Sesamoiditis is a relatively rare condition, but it can occur when one of the sesamoids becomes irritated and inflamed while the body tries to heal the injury.

Gout

This form of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. It can lead to swelling and inflammation of various areas. The symptoms include pain at night, swelling, redness, and even fever that flares up during the day. This condition affects men more than women., but it can also affect both men and women of all ages. Gout contributes to the development of arthritis.

Sprained or Broken Toe

This may seem like an odd one to list because it doesn’t seem to be caused by any injury other than overuse while you are walking or exercising. However, if you look at the symptoms of these two conditions carefully, it may be possible to distinguish between them. For example, while a sprained toe will often cause swelling and bruising, a broken toe will often cause immediate pain and swelling. The pain is also unlikely to go away until the bone is healed, which might take weeks.

There are many reasons your toe hurts when walking or running that can be challenging to sort out. You may need to see a doctor specializing in foot and ankle problems if you want to find relief for your particular condition. If it’s one of those listed above; remember; treat the problem as soon as possible before further complications arise. Good luck and feel better!

The Big Toe Hurts When Walking

Walking in Shoes Causes Pain in The Big Toe

Toe pain is commonly caused by wearing shoes that are either too narrow or too short. Sometimes toe pain is caused by an injury to the toe joint. However, bunion deformity (caused by a structural problem in the foot) is a more common cause of toe pain in middle-aged people.

The big toe bears most of your body weight when you walk. If it does not have enough support from the other toes and footwear, it can become misaligned and may get pressed against other toes under the pressure of walking. Other causes of toe pain include arthritis, hammertoe, the hard callus on the toe, diabetes (neuropathy), and infection.

To repeat: If you’ve ever had pain in your big toe, you do not imagine things! Often the pain comes on suddenly, and it isn’t easy to figure out which shoe might be causing it. So here are some tips of what is wrong with your big toe:

You’ve tried various shoes that didn’t work or were too painful to wear? Tired of trying on shoes in stores or even at home? Try picking up a pair of athletic shoes at a local shoe repair shop or sports store. Tell the employee that you’ll need a pair of shoes that you can replace the insoles in. Then, for about $10, you can have a pair of shoes that will work for your feet and keep them comfortable!
Area men’s size seven or a women’s size eight too small? Tight shoes aren’t necessarily painful but instead may cause toe injury later on due to the lack of room they allow for your toes. The optimal way is to purchase one full size larger than your “usual” shoe size. If the shoe is comfortable with no pain, then you have found your correct shoe size. If it causes pain, try another full size larger until you find one that fits comfortably. OR
Are you allergic to the materials in the shoe? This is usually associated with sneaker or athletic shoe wear but can be found in dress shoes. If you are itching, sneezing, or coughing while wearing them, try some different brands until you find one that doesn’t cause this reaction. If it’s still bothering you after switching brands, consider getting the material of your shoes custom-made for you – this will drastically reduce your likelihood of having an allergic reaction to something within these shoes.
Do you think it may be caused by a falling piece of concrete falling onto your foot? Usually, it causes pain and numbness more like an electric shock than anything else. You must get medical attention for this injury, as it may be a severe condition needing immediate medical care if untreated.
Do you have edges of your big toe that are “caving in” or are just starting to crease over the front of the toe? This is usually caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or too short. When your toes splay, they hold your foot their usual placement. If they can’t do this because the shoe’s shape causes them to jam into the sides of the shoe, you’ll start to notice creases in your toes. Sometimes creases in the big toe can signify a more severe condition, so always see a podiatrist if you have any of this going on with your toes. You can also try some toe spacers to prevent the big toe from caving in overtime.
Do you have a hammertoe at all? Hammertoes may not be painful when they first occur, but sometimes they get worse over time and become painful. If you have hammertoes causing pain or pain that just came on out of nowhere, it may be time to call your podiatrist and make an appointment!

Walking Barefoot Causes Pain in the Big Toe

Big toe pain when walking barefoot is because it is moving with the whole body!

The biggest toe moves the same way as the whole foot does. The big toe moves along with the rest of the leg, bringing it to the ground. So it must be moving similarly to everything else. This motion alone can cause discomfort for some people who have injured their big toe joint or suffered damage to another part of their foot. Just like you, your big toe isn’t perfectly balanced, so it can move unevenly and cause pain if it isn’t always in line with your other toes.

This can be a pain in the big toe joint, but it can also dysfunction the muscles around your toes, ankles, and hips – using these areas at an improper angle. In addition, in some cases, the bones in your foot may not be aligned correctly. In other words, many things can cause you to experience discomfort or pain where your big toe knuckle hits the ground.

Big toes hurt when walking because they’re moving with your whole body!

Using these tips:

Stretch! Your big toe needs to tolerate a lot of pressure during each step you take. Stretching properly prepares it for this task. Do some simple stretches before going on a walk. You can also stretch out your foot with a towel by pulling the ends of the towel in opposite directions. If your big toe is hurting, try this two times a day for 10-15 minutes.
Wear supportive shoes! Big toes hurt when walking because they’re moving with your whole body! Therefore, they require extra support from the footwear you wear. Using too flat or narrow shoes will put more pressure on the top of your foot and possibly on that big toe joint. Instead, shoes should offer some support to your arches and ankles while still allowing extra movement where required. Special sports shoes directed at flat-footed people might be more suitable than regular sneakers for you.
Invest in a second pair of shoes! It can be hard to walk around all day in tight shoes. If you need to wear your favorite pair of sneakers, investing in something more comprehensive will be helpful for your foot. To avoid significant gaps between the toe and the shoe, you’ll have more support on the big toe joint.
Time for a bit of emergency foot care! Try not to jump or move quickly if your big toe hurts when walking. Avoid putting pressure on this area until it gets better, so it doesn’t get worse. Also, stop walking for at least five minutes after changing shoes or taking off your socks if your immense toe pain gets worse.

Walking Causes Pain in the Big Toe Tendon

Numbness or pain of the toes, especially the big toe, can signify a severe medical condition. When a part of your toe hurts when you first put on your shoe and continues to be painful after 10 minutes of walking on a flat surface, it’s essential to see a doctor right away. There may be some physical problem, such as illness or injury, causing your toe joint to hurt as you walk.

The reason for this feeling can vary from one individual to another. For some people, it could indicate a bunion usually found on the side or front at the base or outside of the base on their big toe. A bunion is caused by the bony part of the toe rubbing against the toe’s base or the side of the shoe. It would then become swollen and inflamed.

There may be aggravated tendons in your toe joint that are causing pressure over nerves in your toe, leading to aches and pains when wearing shoes. Furthermore, there could be an issue with your arch called plantar fasciitis, which can be caused by various problems like tendonitis, stress fractures, spurs in the heel bone (calcaneus), heel pain in heels, flat feet, hammertoe condition, etc. Again, this could be aggravated with the shoes you wear.

If you want to relieve pain in your toe joint, wearing open-toed shoes will help. This is not only because of increasing oxygen flow to the toe joint, but also it helps blood circulation.

Walking Causes Pain and Stiffness in My Big Toe

The big toe joint is part of the more giant metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP joint). The MTP joint is located at the outer tips of your toes and allows your toe to move freely. It’s not uncommon to feel some pain at this part of your foot when walking or exercising.

If pain or stiffness occurs in this area, the most common cause is tendinitis, inflammation of a tendon that attaches to the bones. This tendon, called the extensor tendon, helps with the movement and function of the big toe. In addition, if there is swelling or redness around this area, it indicates inflammation resulting from an infection or trauma at this region of your foot.

When Walking, the Big Toe Joint Paint

The leading cause of pain in the big toe joint is inflammation. This can be caused by injury to the joint, such as a sprain or fracture, or maybe due to arthritis where the joints become inflamed. When you’re walking for a while and your toe joint begins to hurt, it’s essential to see your doctor as soon as possible. If the issue has persisted for more than two weeks and the pain has not decreased, or if it is intense or intense throbbing, there is a chance of an injury, fracture, or arthritis of the joint.

When Should You Go to the Doctor?

Walking with your big toe hurts for a variety of reasons. Injury to the foot, tendonitis, nerve entrapment in the foot, an ingrown toenail in between the nail bed and the top of the toe can all cause pain that will radiate through your big toe when you try to walk. There are many ways that you can help alleviate this pain.

One is to see a doctor for treatment of these problems. It’s essential, however, not to self-diagnose, so take note of what other symptoms may be present before making this decision. There are many reasons for these symptoms. These symptoms might be caused by a variety of factors and what happens before the symptoms start.

For example, if you experience problems with over-extension, your big toe’s tendon is inflamed, not your ligament. A doctor’s visit is required for an accurate diagnosis and treatment if you continue to have pain with walking after determining that no structural problem exists.

If you choose to see a doctor to treat your toe, you can take it up with your doctor which treatment methods they will choose to put you on. In the case of the ingrown toenail, if your doctor feels that it is too painful to have an ingrown toenail removed, they will instead try and trim the edge of the nail so that it doesn’t grow up into a painful situation any longer.

If an extensive toe injury is present, a doctor may cut away damaged tissue and reconstruct the ligaments around it with sutures or stitches. If there are nerve issues present in the area, then an injection may be needed to decrease the pain in your foot. These treatments are essential because they can help decrease or relieve the pain in your big toe to walk without pain.

There are many reasons why your big toes hurt when you walk. It may be related to nerve entrapment, an ingrown toenail, or something more severe like a trauma accident. Take these steps to see if you can improve your pain:

Step 1: Check your shoes for tightness. Does the shoe too tight, or are they lose? Tight shoes can irritate the toe, especially if you walk on them all day long. Plus, tight shoes will make your feet sore.

Step 2: Could it be a broken nail? The big picture is usually the first thing I look at when diagnosing any pain in your feet. This is because sometimes overlooked things are causing pain instead of what you think it is. If I think that what’s hurting is just due to a hangnail or ingrown toenail, then I’ll take care of that first before anything else.

Pain Management Options

Several things can cause foot pain, but the most common is plantar fasciitis (heel pain) or more localized problems like calluses, blisters, bunions, and hammertoe. To get relief from these symptoms, many ways are found.

The heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis can sometimes be helped by making simple lifestyle changes like exercising regularly (most often before you get out of bed in the morning) and wearing shoes that offer proper arch support; this will reduce the strain on your heels. However, if your pain is of longer duration, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections (which reduce inflammation) and physical therapy.

If you have a hammertoe, you’ll probably need orthopedic surgery: cutting the tendons that are shortening your toes so they can straighten out and relieve the pressure on your foot. A callus is a protective layer of hard skin on the bottom of your foot; if it continues to get thicker or more painful, it may mean you have plantar fasciitis. You can cut or shave off a callus that’s interfering with movement. If a callus is painful, you may need a podiatrist to make an incision and drain the fluid.

A bunion develops when your big toe begins to angle toward your second toe; as you walk, this misalignment puts pressure on the front of the joint, causing pain and inflammation as well as deformation (contracted toes). Bunion surgery is an effective way to alleviate pain and prevent further damage to the joint; usually, it involves shaving bone off the big toe and realigning it with its neighbor. Bunions and hammertoe are conditions that commonly occur in mid-life, usually between ages 40 and 60. They can cause pain and discomfort in the foot, but the good news is that there are many ways to get relief from these symptoms. Your doctor or therapist can also help you correct or prevent these problems with orthotic devices (plastic inserts), shoe modifications, exercises for strengthening your feet, and physical therapy.

If you have pain near the joint between your big toe and second toe (the first joint closest to your body), use these tips to relieve your discomfort: Use an ice pack on your foot for 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Wear shoes that give good support and that are not too narrow or short. Gently massage away any hard calluses that are squeezing the joint using a pumice stone. If you have pain, burning, or tingling of the bottom of your big toe or the second toe, use these tips to relieve your discomfort: Use an oven bake mitt over the end of your finger to protect it from heat while cooking.

Wear shoes with good arch support to keep pressure off your toes. 3-4 times a day, apply an ice pack to your foot for 15 minutes. Wear a gel heel cup insert in your shoe to relieve pressure on the heel. Apply cold packs to the bottom of your foot after physical activity.

If you have pain, burning, or tingling of the top of your toe, use these tips to relieve your discomfort: Wear shoes with good arch support that are not too narrow or short. 3-4 times a day, apply an ice pack to your foot for 15 minutes. Wear a gel heel cup insert in your shoe to relieve pressure on the heel. Apply cold packs to the top of your foot after physical activity.

If you have pain, burning, or tingling of the front end of your toe, use these tips to relieve your discomfort: Use an oven bake mitt over the end of your finger to protect it from heat while cooking. Wear shoes that provide adequate arch support and are not too narrow or short. 3-4 times a day, apply an ice pack to your foot for 15 minutes. Wear a gel heel cup insert in your shoe to relieve pressure on the heel. Apply cold packs to the front of your foot after physical activity.

If you have pain, burning, or tingling of the back of your toe, use these tips to relieve your discomfort: Use an oven bake mitt over the end of your finger to protect it from heat while cooking. Wear shoes that provide adequate arch support and are not too narrow or short. Use an ice pack on your foot for 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Wear a gel heel cup insert in your shoe to relieve pressure on the heel.

The Takeaway

It’s critical not to overlook how your toes are feeling. A sore big toe joint could be due to bone problems or tendonitis that causes inflammation. If there is swelling in the joint or tenderness along the edge of the joint, this may indicate an infection. A swollen, hot toe with redness and pain could indicate a blood disorder like leukemia.

If unexpected changes in your toe joint happen, consult your doctor. For instance, there could be an increase or decrease in movement or slight pain if it moves side to side. If there is active swelling along the edge of the joint, then this can indicate that something is pushing on it, like a bunion (bone spur) or fracture. It may also indicate irritation or tenderness at the outer edges of the joint, which indicates inflammation. The area around the toe joint can become inflamed during various foot problems, including infection, injury, arthritis, and even inflammation related to diabetes. This typically occurs around the joint and can cause the joint to be swollen and painful.

If there is increased pain or swelling, it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. If this symptom lasts for more than a few days, this could indicate an infection such as cellulitis or a broken bone or fragment of bone called a “supernumerary” bone. It’s also possible that your toe joint may have fractured and splintered, which can result in extreme pain and swelling.

It’s not uncommon to occasionally feel discomfort in your toes, especially if you often wear open-toe shoes or shoes fit for swollen feet of footwear that hobbles your foot without providing enough room for toes to move. However, it is essential not to ignore toe pain that continues for longer than a few days. Seeing a doctor when you have any discomfort in the toe joint that lasts longer than two weeks.

FAQs

When should I worry about toe pain?

If you’ve noticed a significant change in your toe pain while wearing different types of shoes, you should see a podiatrist. An improperly fitting shoe may be the cause of your pain. If the pain is sharp and radiates up the big toe, this may indicate a possible fracture of the metatarsal bone. This type of fracture requires an x-ray for diagnosis.

What to do if your toe hurts when you walk?

There can be many reasons for toe pain, but the most common are bunions and corns. Bunions are generally more painful than corns and usually affect one or both big toes. Try these premade over-the-counter bunion pads to help with the pressure on the bunion, so it enjoys relief from pain when walking.

What helps a sore big toe joint?

If your toe joint is sore from the rubbing of shoes, try switching to a broader type of shoe, such as a sandal or other open-toed shoe. Also, try wearing a toe ring or a sock with a grip on the bottom to help relieve pressure. Finally, if you have corns on your toes, ask your doctor about using corn cushions to relieve pain. I have found them to be helpful.

Why do big toes hurt in sneakers?

All information does not treat or diagnose illness or injury. Please consult a healthcare provider if you believe that you have an acute injury or illness.