Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, and tenderness around your big toe joint. The area may be inflamed, hot, and discolored. Sometimes symptoms are sudden and severe, especially at night. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint. The big toe is often affected, but it can also happen in other joints. Sometimes, the joint gets hot and red. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals. Risk factors for gout include obesity, eating a lot of meat, drinking beer, age (older), sex (male), and family history.

Treatment includes changing to better-fitting shoes that do not compress the nerve; using orthotics in the shoes to take more pressure off of the nerve; and in some cases the use of corticosteroid injections. swelling of the big toe joint – the foot may become so wide it can be difficult to find wide enough shoes Nerve damage: Subtle sources of pain may also occur from athletic activities or be the result of ill-fitting shoes. These actions can compress nerves through repetitive actions or one-time events. They’ll tell you your level of risk if you don't know already. And together, you’ll agree a personalised care plan. This may involve treatment, advice about the best footwear and how to look after your feet.Big toe numbness can occur for a variety of reasons. Overly tight footwear is a common cause. Tight shoes compress nerves in the toe, causing numbness. Numbness and pain in the big toe indicate gout. Infections from ingrown toenails may also lead to numbness. Why does my big toe randomly hurt? There are a few ways a toe could break. These include stress fractures, falls, and dropping an object on the foot. Intense joint pain. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can occur in any joint. Other commonly affected joints include the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers. The pain is likely to be most severe within the first four to 12 hours after it begins.

Injuries and accidents are not always avoidable, but the following steps may help minimize the risk of breaking a toe: Family history of gout. If other members of your family have had gout, you're more likely to develop the disease.Bordoni B, Sugumar K, Varacallo M. Muscle Cramps. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Rest as much as possible and avoid putting pressure on your foot. Wear shoes with padding or a stiff sole for protection and support. Apply a cold compress a few times per day and take NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation. Custom foot orthotics with a modification called Morton's extension can help when the motion causes pain. Sesamoiditis is inflammation in the tendons surrounding the sesamoid bones. This is a form of tendinitis. It can also result from fracture of the sesamoid bones. The condition often results from overuse of the toe. Ballet dancers and runners often develop sesamoiditis. Wearing supports that bend the affected toe downward may help. Orthotic devices or shoe cushions may also help. Crutches or a walking cast can relieve pressure if complete immobilization is necessary.

The toe may be particularly sensitive when it is bent or straightened. The pain develops gradually over time. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. More specific treatments may be necessary for certain conditions, such as OA and gout. Physical therapy may help individuals with arthritis manage this condition.Injections: The injection of anti-inflammatory medications, particularly at joints, can help with the pain. Corticosteroid injections are an example of this application for the big toe.