Big Toe Pain Relief

Have Big Toe Pain, Milwaukee? Our Foot Doctors Can Help!

Have big toe pain, Milwaukee? Our foot doctors can help! Below, we’ve provided the symptoms of big toe joint pain, as well as the most common causes for this type of toe pain and various treatment options.

Big Toe Joint Pain Symptoms

The most common symptoms our Milwaukee foot doctors see when someone is experiencing big toe joint pain include swelling around the MTP joint, a bump which develops on top of the foot and stiffness in the big toe which limits the toe’s mobility. Big toe joint pain can be especially painful when pushing off on the toes to take a step. Many sufferers change their style of walking to avoid pain in the big toe joint, which usually ends up causing problems in the hips or back.

Below, our Milwaukee foot specialists have outlined the most common causes of big toe pain and big toe joint pain.

Causes of Big Toe Pain: Our Milwaukee Foot Specialists Explain

  • Hallux Rigidus: This is arthritis in the big toe. It affects the largest joint at the base of the foot. If the supportive cartilage is worn away or damaged, the bones can rub against each other. When this happens a bone spur can develop, which prevents the toe from bending. The resulting toe stiffness is called Hallux Rigidus. This is a troubling ailment and may even be disabling. It’s progressive. Without treatment for Hallux Rigidus, the motion of the toe will steadily decrease. When toe movement is limited, it’s called “hallux limitus.” When it becomes frozen in place, it is “Hallux Rigidus.” If you suspect you’re suffering from Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus visit our Milwaukee foot specialists and we’ll help you discover the specific cause and most effective treatment.
  • Bunions: Each joint has a sac called a bursa, filled with fluid to prevent the bones from rubbing directly against each other. If the sac becomes swollen, there will be a red swelling on the side of the big toe. This could push it to the side. Bunions are extremely uncomfortable since they push the big toe toward the smaller ones. Those with rheumatoid arthritis often experience bunions.
  • Toe Injury: Stubbing your toe causes immediate pain, but just because the pain ebbs in a few days doesn’t mean damage has not been caused. Without treatment, the swollen toe joint may bother you during normal activity or while wearing certain styles of shoes.  Even cold or damp weather can affect toe pain.
  • Gout: If uric acid builds up in the back of your foot by the Achilles heel, it can cause awful pain throughout the entire foot. The problem is crystals created by the acid which penetrate the joint. Foot gout often starts with severe big toe pain. If this is not properly treated, foot pain will go on for years and the joint could become damaged.
  • Bone Marrow Endema: This refers to a buildup of fluid in the bone. There is terrible pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen to people who injure their big toe repeatedly. Unfortunately, this ailment can take up to a full year to heal.
  • Arthritis: The big toe is often the first and most common location for arthritis. This juncture is called the metatarsophalangeal (or MTP) joint. Big toe joint pain can be chronic and increasingly severe. The toe has to bend every time you take a step or stoop down. This type of foot arthritis is common ailment among adults, hitting between the ages of thirty and sixty. Arthritis in the big toe joint generally occurs due to a previous injury which damaged articular cartilage. However, toe arthritis can also be affected by a person’s age or other types of arthritis including Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. The anatomy of the foot itself may also bring about toe arthritis.
  • Sesamoiditis: There are two small bones which allow your toes to point down. If you injure them, toe pain will be acute. The sesamoid bones are located inside a major MTP tendon.
  • Turf Toe: Sports athletes are especially likely to suffer this injury which results in extreme pain on the bottom of the big toe. The ligament there could be torn or damaged. Turf toe can be caused by playing on artificial turf, wearing the wrong style of shoes or running too fast or for too long. If you suspect you have turf toe, make an appointment with our Milwaukee sports medicinedoctor right away.

Our Milwaukee Foot Specialists Help Relieve Big Toe Pain

There are many effective, non-surgical treatments for big toe pain relief, many of which you can do right at home. Below, our Milwaukee foot specialists provide various DIY big toe pain relief methods, as well as professional non-surgical treatments.

  • Heat Therapy: This is a simple, effective and easy treatment for such things as turf toe, bunions or Sesamoiditis. Utilizing heat treatments will depend on the type and severity of your condition.

  • Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen can help relieve less-severe pain and swelling. They act quickly and often deliver good, temporary relief.
  • Corticosteroids: If more relief is needed because of ongoing toe pain, steroids are an option. These are usually not taken for a lengthy time. If there is no relief, other treatment options should be considered.
  • Cortisone Injections: Our Milwaukee toe pain specialists may recommend cortisone injections at the site to reduce pain and swelling. This often provides short-term and long-term relief.
  • Custom Orthotics and Insoles: Our Milwaukee foot doctors may recommend custom orthotics or insoles to help alleviate pain and reduce flare-ups.
  • Physical Therapy: There is such a thing as toe exercises! Our Milwaukee physical therapists can recommend various strengthening exercises. Depending on severity, we may also suggest ultrasound therapy or other processes to provide big toe pain relief.
  • Contrast Baths: This is just filling two buckets with hot water and cold water, then alternating putting in your foot. Do this for five minutes or so, ending in the cold water. This will reduce pain and swelling.

*Consult a medical professional for all DIY big toe pain relief therapies.

Milwaukee Foot Surgeons Provide Permanent Big Toe Pain Relief

When big toe pain cannot be overcome with non-surgical treatments surgery may be necessary. Our Milwaukee foot surgeons perform extremely precise procedures which are extremely effective for those with chronic and acute big toe pain. Types of surgery may include:

  • Cheilectomy: The bone spurs and part of the foot bone is removed to give the toe more room to bend. This is effective if the pain isn’t too severe.
  • Arthodesis: If cartilage is badly damaged, this procedure will fuse bones together. The cartilage is replaced with pins, strews or a plate. The toe will not be able to bend. However, this procedure puts a stop to big toe pain and related arthritis.
  • Arthroplasty: This toe joint replacement is mostly for older patients. Joint surfaces are taken out and replaced with artificial joints. This procedure will relieve big toe joint pain while preserving the motion of the toe.

Don’t let big toe pain persist. There are many highly effective treatments available which provide big toe pain relief and help you avoid even more serious and painful conditions in the future.

Contact our Milwaukee foot specialists to ask a question or schedule an appointment to have your big toe pain diagnosed and treated.

Brookfield Office

Phone: (262) 781-0200

17495 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI 53045

Bayside Office

Phone: (414) 761-0981

320 W. Brown Deer Rd., Bayside, WI 53217



Franklin Office

Phone: (414) 761-0981

8153 S. 27th St., 400, Franklin, WI 53132

New Berlin Office

Phone: (262) 781-0200

15324 W. Beloit Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151

Germantown Office

Phone: (262) 781-0200

N112W15237 Mequon Rd., Germantown, WI 53022

Great Midwest Foot and Ankle Centers

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