Dealing with toe pain? Read on to find out what might be going on.

There are many reasons why our toes can cause us pain, ranging from a simple injury to a larger structural abnormality in the foot. In fact, toe pain is a pretty common symptom. So, what could be going on and does it warrant a trip to the Ridgeland office of podiatrist Dr. Rose Sotolongo? It’s time to find out!

The Most Common Causes of Toe Pain

Most people who are suffering from toe pain are dealing with,

• Ingrown toenails
• Bunions
• Scrapes, cuts, or open wounds
• Injuries (e.g. turf toe)
• Broken bone
• Athlete’s foot (may also experience cracking, burning, and itching skin)
• Fungal nail infection
• Blisters
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Morton’s neuroma
• Sesamoiditis

Certain types of arthritis such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the toe joints and lead to pain and stiffness. Sometimes, this pain may also be accompanied by numbness, burning, tingling, or weakness. It’s important that if you are experiencing any of these changes in your feet that you talk to your foot doctor in Ridgeland, MS, right away.

Caring for Toe Pain

If you aren’t sure of what’s causing your symptoms, then it’s a good idea to turn to a doctor who can look at your foot and determine the cause of your pain. Pinpointing the root cause will help us create the most effective treatment plan. For example, how we decide to treat an injury or a minor acute problem is going to be different than a chronic condition which will require ongoing maintenance.

The first course of action for injuries or more minor conditions include simple at-home care such as,

• Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications
• Icing the affected toe for several minutes 2-3 times a day
• Resting the foot and elevating it to reduce swelling
• Avoiding certain activities that could exacerbate the pain
• Wearing properly fitted shoes that don’t put pressure on the toes
• Applying orthotics into your shoes to provide additional support and cushioning

Sometimes our foot specialist will recommend certain exercises, especially if you are dealing with certain deformities like a bunion or hammertoe that can be eased with simple stretching and strengthening exercises. Conditions that are chronic, such as arthritis, may require more long-term treatment options such as routine physical therapy, rehabilitation, or even surgery.

If foot pain is affecting your daily routine and isn’t responding to at-home care, then it’s time to call our Ridgeland, MS, podiatry office to find out what’s going on. Call us today at (601) 206-9101 to schedule your evaluation!