Experiencing pain and stiffness in your big toe can be very agonizing and debilitating. Having a properly functioning big toe is essential for standing and walking. Big toe pain and stiffness can be caused by a variety of problems ranging from arthritis to injury, so be sure to see your foot doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment.

3 of the most common causes of big toe pain include the following:

• Podagra (gout of the big toe)—Podagra, which is the Greek word for ‘foot trap’, is gout that affects the metatarsophalangeal joint which is the large joint between the big toe and the foot. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals that form in the joint due to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood.
• The bunion toe deformity—While this toe deformity is largely a hereditary condition it can be triggered by wearing tight-fitting shoes that push the toes together. Wearing properly fitted footwear with orthotics can be used to treat bunions and their many complications such as overlapping toes and corns.
• Arthritis—Hallux rigidus is an arthritic condition that translates as “stiff big toe”. Arthritis affects the lining of the joints and often appears first in the big toe. Gout is a form of arthritis.

 

If you are experiencing big toe stiffness and pain, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. You can count on the foot doctors at Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC to provide fast relief for your aching feet using a full range of both conservative and surgical therapies. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele, serves patients of all ages with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies including onsite digital x-ray, ultrasound, diabetic shoes, and digital scanning for custom orthotics. For any questions or to make an appointment, please contact us at one of our Southeast Michigan facilities in Monroe (734-241-0200) and Lambertville (734-856-8900) (Bedford and Monroe counties). We also offer convenient house calls Monday through Thursday, so give us a call!