Toe pain is a common symptom in many people and it is uncomfortable and affects health if it persists.The disease can start from 1 toe or many toes, pain in the big toe or spread to all the toes, ankle pain and then the whole foot hurts. From there, it causes discomfort, bleeding, and affects movement.
What is Toe Pain?
A person who is suffering from toe pain is referred to with the phrase “toe pain”. Toe pain affects movement, health and the patient’s life. There are also many other problems related to toes, such as ingrown toenails, toe arthritis, dermatitis, nail fungus,big toe deformity.Toe pain can be a sign of a serious medical condition, and you should see your doctor if the pain persists.
The Causes of Toe Pain When Walking
Toe pain is caused by many causes such as nerve, vascular, muscle, and joint causes. There are more serious problems that cause foot pain when walking, such as gout, diabetes or nerve compression. You’d better see a doctor if your foot pain is accompanied by other symptoms.
Symptoms of toe pain occur in different diseases; for example, toe pain in diabetes is often accompanied by numbness and swelling of the toe; toe pain in gout often occurs in the big toe, and occurs acutely.
Arthritis
The leading cause of pain in toes while walking is arthritis. Inflammation of the joints is referred to as arthritis and it frequently affects the big toe joint. Due to damage from repetitive stress (such as high-impact sports activities), incomplete foot mechanics (such as overpronation), or other factors that might result in “wear and tear” on the joints, the joints may become inflamed. Walking may initially be the only activity that causes the pain, but over time it frequently becomes a constant. Other symptoms of arthritis besides pain in the toe may include stiffness, swelling, redness, and heat around the joint.
When arthritis is the cause of the toe pain, the pain often worsens and can move into the toes. You may also observe that the toe begins to tingle and feel numb. Although it can take up to two weeks for these symptoms to occur, do not stress if you get them as soon as seven days after starting this type of treatment.
Overpronation
Another cause that can also make you feel pain in your toes when walking is poor foot mechanics or overpronation.When you overpronate,your foot rolls inward too much while you walk and can often contribute to toe pain. To correct this problem, it is necessary to wear the proper footwear for your feet. For example,wearing thick-soled sneakers or high-topped work boots will treat your overpronation issue. However, you must choose the right shoes because wearing a certain pair of shoes excessively can harm other parts of your body.
This health problem can also result from wearing unsuitable footwear such as flip flops or sandals with little supportive arch support. Your feet are forced to compensate for the lack of support by working harder, causing the toes to become painful. People who work in positions that require them to stand for long periods of time each day,such as cashiers, waiters and waitresses and other such jobs. If you plan on wearing high heels or other types of shoes for a length of time that forces you to walk improperly, it’s important to take breaks sometimes and stretch your toes. This will help prevent pain caused by improper walking mechanics.
It is recommended to use overpronation shoes or shoes that are designed to fit for standing all day if you frequently get pain in your toes. Walking or running with too much foot outward movement will result in pain. For this reason, it is recommended to select footwear with soft padding or thick soles to absorb the impact of each step and minimize painful pressure on your foot.
When to use shoes for overpronation:
- If you experience chronic pain while walking
- If you frequently need physical therapy treatment due to plantar fasciitis or heel spurs.
Morton’s Neuroma
Another possible cause for toe pain when walking is a neuroma which is a benign tumor inside a nerve in your foot. This growth may occur because of very high pressure on that nerve.This type of growth which can be painful if it puts pressure on a nerve in your foot. The most common way to diagnose a neuroma is through a physical examination and those who have a neuroma frequently complain of pain and numbness when they walk.
Morton’s Neuroma, a tumor that grows on the nerves of your foot causes pain in walking. They are most commonly located underneath where your big toe joins your foot or in the space on the ball of your foot between your toes.If you have these signs and symptoms, you might have Morton’s neuroma.
The symptoms of this illness are often similar to those of plantar fasciitis and heel pain : pain and numbness in the ball of your foot and an ache under your heel bone that gets worse when you walk.
Beside this, walking on hard surfaces like concrete usually makes the pain in the ball of your foot worse.
Diagnostic criteria for this disease include the existence of a bump on the skin between the toes or which has swelled up from beneath these toes.There are methods for managing the symptoms. But according to studies,surgery typically makes the illness worse rather than better.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fascia is known as a band of connective tissue that runs from heel bone to the toes. This band has the role of supporting the arch of the foot, maintaining the physiological curvature of the foot, and reducing the impact force on the foot when we walk or exercise. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which this band of tissue becomes inflamed anđ irritated. That causes heel pain when you are walking.
This health problem often occurs in people who wear high heels or shoes with a small toe box, but it can also affect those who frequently wear flat shoes or flip-flops. In addition, overpronation can also lead to plantar fasciitis.
Calluses
Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. Calluses occur when you usually walk on the same part of your foot,rubbing or pressing on the plantar fascia. Therefore, this can lead to plantar fasciitis. In addition, wearing shoes that do not fit properly can also result in a callus because your toes will protrude from the heel of the shoes while you walk. Tight straps,high heels and unsuitable footwear can also cause a callus.
Methods for calluses self – care treatment include a good skin-care routine,regular foot exercise by using a ball to strengthen the muscles in the foot’s arch.However, it would be best to see a doctor if your calluses still exist after self-care.
Callus can be prevented if you have diabetes by wearing supportive footwear that fits comfortably and is made of robust materials.
Metatarsalgia
Your metatarsal bones, which are found on the bottom of each of your toes, are under a lot of pressure, which leads to metatarsalgia. People who frequently wear sandals or flip-flops are more likely to develop the illness than those who wear high heels or shoes that are too big for their feet. The symptoms of metatarsalgia often only affect one side of the foot, although in rare situations, both sides of the foot have been affected.
This condition’s Metatarsalgia symptoms frequently begin as tingling or numbness in the bottom ball of your foot. Overtime, this may develop into shooting pain in the ball of your foot as well as numbness in all your toes.
To prevent further foot problems,It’s recommended to wear properly fitted sized, arch-supporting shoes. In order to relax the muscles in your feet and avoid cramping, you should stretch your feet every night before bed.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Another of the most typical reasons for toe pain when you walk is Tarsal tunnel syndrome. The typical symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a deep ache or pain which feels like an electric shock coming from behind or underneath the ankle bone, these symptoms may radiate up your lower leg and into the top of your foot.
This condition can be explained by the compression of one or more nerves playing a role of returning sensory data to your brain such as the posterior tibial nerve.
When you walk for a long time, especially on hard surfaces like asphalt, the symptoms of this disorder typically get worse. Rest and massage of the affected limb are recommended if you have these symptoms to reduce swelling and nerve pressure.
Turf Toe
When you first begin to walk, especially after a lengthy period of rest, the turf toe which is an injury in the big toe joint when ligaments,tendons and soft tissues in the join stretch or tear, is a common reason for toe pain.The typical sign of turf toe is the pain starting at the first joint of the toe and moving up into the plantar surface of your boot.Over time,it can become difficult or painful to stand or walk,even with support from shoes.
Flat Feet
The soles of a normal person’s feet are arched. The foot’s arch can help us balance, walk more comfortably, and reduce the amount of ground response that causes our feet to bounce while we move.Therefore, when you have flat feet, your weight may move to the outside of your foot. As a result, the toes and side of foot are pressured.When you walk or remain still for along time, it might create pain in your toes.Over time, standing on uneven surfaces may lead to deformity in the front of your feet.In this case, you need arch supports or heel lifts in your shoes to assist balance out the pressure that causes pain in your toes when you walk
Cuboid Syndrome
If you feel pain in your big toe when you walk,you may have Cuboid Syndrome.Cuboid is a bone located behind your toes at the top of your foot.This bone joins to other bones on your heel bone via a ligament. If this ligament gets injured or inflamed ,it will put pressure on other anatomical structures,cause bleeding and swelling and make you feel the pain when walking.
Based on these causes for toe pain, you generally recommend that you see your doctor if you experience symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition, persists painful or accompanied by other symptoms.
Types of Pain
Nerve Pain
Toe or foot pain might be caused by pinched or irritated nerves.It is described as feeling like pins and needles. It can also affect sensitivity to touch and can make some one have difficulty feeling hot or cold sensations. In many cases, the pain gets better with time. However,if your toes or foot are swollen, discolored or numb, consult a doctor immediately to make sure it is not serious.
Burning Pain
Burning pain is described as a burning sensation in your toes and numbness and tingling in the sole of your foot. This pain can be caused by increased pressure on the nerve,which runs from the top of your foot to your toes,commonly seen in Morton’s neuroma.
To reduce this pain, It is important to wear correctly fitted shoes with cushion insoles and arch support. In addition, Remove your shoes after work or at night when you arrive home from school to give your feet a break.
Stabbing Pain
A broken bone,being pulled out of its usual position, being pulled apart, or from a ligament or tendon might cause stabbing toe pain when you walk.The foot has several bones that support your body weight when you are standing or walking.In addition, if you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop foot pain due to poor circulation in your feet, leading to infection and bone loss over time.
Sudden Pain
Your foot or toes may experience a quick onset of pain if you have a fractured bone. Swelling, bruising, discoloration, numbness or deformity on the toes or foot are the symptoms which often occur after a fall or injury. Those cause the loss of use from the affected part so the immediate need of medical intervention is to prevent further complications.
Severe Pain
Severe pain is a typical sign of plantar fasciitis, which inflames the plantar fascia. When under stress, severe toe pain may get worse when walking. In severe cases, stress might even result in a complete breakdown of the joint, making walking uncomfortable or impossible.
Ease Toe Pain Yourself
Do
- When you feel pain in the foot, it’s important to wrap it carefully (the skin must be tightly wrapped around it) and keep it warm.Keeping the feet warm, especially with applying a hot pack to the foot, has two effects. Firstly, the friction will help relieve pain. Second, Friction will help circulate and warm the blood flow as well as warm and strengthen the muscle tissue.
- Get up and stretch your toes at the same time everyday to avoid becoming too stiff, maintain your toes flexible and powerful. Make sure you are not wearing tight shoes as soon as you can get out of bed. Use a couple gel-filled crutches to ease your sore toes while you sleep. People who have gone through foot surgery should rest for the first three weeks to avoid developing an infection.
- When you go to bed, try not to wear tight shoes, have your feet pointed downward.
- Try doing some yoga or pilates exercises to improve overall flexibility and range of motion. Always remember to warm up carefully,stretch before and afterward any workout. Stretching is very beneficial, especially for athletes like runners, cyclists,soccer/ rugby players. It improves athletic performance by loosening muscles that can become tight during activity. Beside this,it reduces the injury by avoiding straining these muscles.
Don’t
- Don’t ignore toe pain because it can be a sign of something more serious,such as diabetes or cancer.
- Don’t mistake that all symptoms of toe pain are the same.Sometimes it is important to consult with a doctor to determine the cause and treatment of your symptoms.
Diagnose the Cause of Toe Pain Properly
A diagnosis of the cause of toe pain must be made by a medical expert who knows what they can do to help you find a cause and decide a suitable treatment for your pain types. There are several foot and toe pain problems including arthritis, overpronation, Morton’s Neuroma, plantar fasciitis, calluses, metatarsalgia, tarsal tunnel syndrome or turf toe. If they are diagnosed early, many of these painful conditions can be treated non-surgically, returning patients to their normal way of life as soon as possible.
The thorough physical examination and some tests such as MRI or X-ray are conducted to help diagnose the exact cause and rule out any other potential issues which could be causing the hurt on your toes. Thus, it is very important to diagnose the cause of toe pain properly.
When to See a Doctor
It is best to see a doctor if you frequently feel burning, numbness, or tingling in your toes as you walk. It may occasionally be due to diabetes. In any case, if the toe discomfort is persistent and comes and goes regularly, see your doctor right once. Continued toe pain should not be ignored because it may be a sign of something more serious, such as diabetes or cancer. Consult your primary care physician if you experience recurrent toe pain that is not related to an injury.
If you have persistent toe pain, it is important to see a doctor to diagnose and treat your toe pain. Otherwise, consult with a specialist specializing in foot and ankle problems to get your problem diagnosed and treated. Do not attempt to self-cure toe pain as this could cause more issues and make the situation much more difficult to treat and manage.
FAQs
How do I keep my toes from hurting when I walk?
To avoid toe pain when walking, you can do some of the following measures.
Firstly, Stay at a healthy weight.Because your feet bear the weight of your entire body, the more weight they support,the harder they need to work.
Secondly, Wearing shoes with good support and cushioning is necessary to ensure proper foot mechanics and avoid the risk of developing pressure sores on your feet from too much walking or improper shoe wear.
Lastly, you can also try some stretching exercises to help your sore feet by engaging in several stretches to target your entire food. Those exercises can prevent cramping and promote flexibility.
How do you relieve toe pain?
Depending on the source of your toe pain, there are numerous ways to relieve it
Using antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection.
Surgery is necessary to tighten or loosen torn ligaments surrounding joints in your toes or to remove a foreign item from a wound.
Surgery is also frequently needed to repair new nerves if you have damaged nerves.
In some cases, surgery is not vital, and symptoms may be relieved by splints and physical therapy for muscle strength.
What is capsulitis of the toe?
Capsulitis of the toe is a condition in which the ligaments and capsule surrounding the joints of your toes become inflamed. Your joints are protected by a combination of tissues called a capsule. It may be painful to move some toes, such as bending them forward, back, or sideways, and toe joint pain can make walking challenging.
See a doctor for treatment options if you’ve had this issue. With nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these symptoms typically go better within two weeks, especially when being paired with physical therapy.
What does it mean when your toes hurt?
Pain in the toes may be due to not serious conditions, or it can be a sign of serious diseases like diabetes that you should treat immediately. Regardless of the origin of your toe pain, it’s critical to see a doctor for diagnosis, treatment and medication if required.
Does toe capsulitis go away?
Toe capsulitis is a specific type toe joint pain that can affect one or more toes and radiate pain up the foot or up to the metatarsal bone.If no changes are made,capsulitis can return or worsen.If a person is structurally prone to capsulitis,it can become a chronic problem. Treating the condition early can prevent surgical intervention later in life.