Foot Pain

[JaxBedford]

I used to crack my big toe quite a lot of the time the big ball joint. On New years day it started to hurt, I stubbed my toe a couple of times but not enough for me to think I had done any damage. Now I have been unable to walk on my big toe for several days, I went to hospital and had an x-ray and no bones are broken and the Dr said it was a sprain. However he suggested I elevate my foot for a 48 hours and it should start to improve. It has not improved one bit. My big toe leans slightly intowards the other toes and I feel like it should be straightened out. The tendon that runs along the toe is so tendor. I feel depressed as I can not do anything with my toe to make it feel better, I have tried hot water cold water, resting etc and nothing improves it. It throbs most of the time, if I try and bend my big toe upwards or to the right it really really hurts. I am unable to even wear any shoes.
I'm only 29 and usually fit. Do you think the toe cracking has caused this? what else could it be? I very much dounbt it's a sprain as it should have at least improved a little by now.

[footdoctor]

common reasons for this pain are bunion(crooked big toe) or a spurring on the top of the great toe joint(hallux limitus or rigidus) undetectable by visual or mechanical touch...a limitation of upward motion with pain is more likely the latter...an x-ray will ID which...unfortunately they will probably require surgery...prescription supports(orthotics) may help...nsaids will be temporay but may offer relief...there are new techniques for the limitus etc that are awesome for long term success...an OsteoCure implant may be necessary...
Dr. L

[chelseair]

I have a huge cyst on the bottom of my big toe. Not sure if it is from perhaps some type of toe cancer, or if it is just fluid build up around a rheumatoid nodule(s). I don't have insurance for RA as a pre-existing condition for another year and so don't want to go to a podiatrist if it's going to be determined as being related to RA and then insurance won't pay for the visits or tests. My rheumatologist said she's not sure what it is, but thought increasing my medication would help - but it has not. I have pictures if someone is willing to look at them and let me know if they think it could be just a nodule with fluid build up around it or not. I've had it for a couple years now I believe. Just slowly keeps getting bigger. Uncomfortable when going barefoot but otherwise o.k. pain wise. I did get every so many months, very brief sharp stabbing type pains in the toe for a few years or so before this developed, but they only lasted for a few seconds and only a few times a year did that pain occur. I may be developing the same thing on the other big toe, so maybe it's not cancer... I can email the pix or post them somewhere if a podiatrist is interested in looking at them. Let me know.

[footdoctor]

consistently "cracking" your toe joint will cause irreversible damage over time...so i would suggest when we get this situation corrected that you avoid that practice in the future...if the upward motion of your great toe has gradually stiffened over the last several months or few years then you may have a condition called hallux limitus or rigidus( a lateral x-ray will show a dorsal spurring)...the description of the position leaning toward the lesser toes is likely a possible bunion development( an AP x-ray will show the bunion deformity)...any of thses conditions should respond to adequate anti-inflammatories but not on a permanent basis, especially in an active individual...most will eventually require surgery or biomechanical Rx inserts...start with ice applied to the area with a thin protection(wash cloth) between the ice bag and your skin but you must limit the time to no more than 10-12 minutes per use...it will require multiple applications 4-5 times per day but they are short and therefore easier to work into a schedule...before work, over lunch at work, after work, after dinner, & at bedtime...over the counter nsaids such as motrin or advil taken at the maximum prescription strength of 800mg 4 times daily for 7 days will be a key...assuming no allergies or GI issues of course...limit activity and eliminate the gym or running etc for one week...damage to the cartilage may be present and can only be seen well with an MRI...if it comes to surgery ask for more advice= there are several new treatments that have revolutionized their care in the last couple of years...i will be happy to outline those as needed...if all else fails then see a local ABPS board certified podiatrist in your area...hope this helps...
good luck
foot doctor, jml