Toe pain is a common condition of the leg. Toes are composed of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. Pain can be coming from any one of those sources.
Depending on the severity of the pain, how constant or intermittent it is, quality of the pain, associated numbness, or weakness, your doctor can make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan. Sometimes a serious underlying condition is possible.
If there is persistent pain, swelling, redness, fever, please contact your foot specialist immediately.
If toe pain is limiting what you can do, our podiatrists will obtain x-rays, perform a comprehensive physical exam and history, and review the surgical and non-surgical options to reduce pain and deformity, along with recovery time, return to work, and activity.
Causes of toe pain
- Infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral)
- Broken toe or stress fracture
- Strain or sprain
- Bunions
- Hammertoe
- Gout
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
- Morton’s neuroma
- Neuropathy (including diabetic neuropathy)
- PAD or narrowing or blockage of arteries
- Tumor
Treatment for toe pain
Depending on the cause, treatments are different for each condition. Therefore, it is important to see your foot specialist to determine the cause of the pain.