Big toe bumps: causes and treatment
Bumps that appear on the feet in the area of the big toe are not uncommon. Both men and women of all ages face this phenomenon. For some time, people simply do not pay attention to the bumps. Most patients turn to doctors only after the pathology is complicated by pain, inflammation, discomfort, gait disturbance and other inconveniences that worsen the quality of human life.
Do not take bumps as a violation that does not deserve attention, because sometimes they indicate serious diseases. The sooner treatment is started, the less the risk that major surgery is required.
Content:
- What are bumps on my feet?
- Causes of the appearance of bumps on the feet of the big toe
- Symptoms of bumps on the feet of the big toe
- When should you see a doctor?
- Diagnosis of bumps on the legs
- Treating bumps on the big toes
- Simple gymnastics for feet and toes
- Prevention of the formation of bumps on the legs
What are bumps on my feet?
Bumps on the legs are a manifestation of such a pathology as hallux valgus (an increase in the bone on the foot). The big toe deviates inside the foot, causing a lot of trouble for a person - from inconvenience and inability to wear your favorite shoes to severe pain that interferes with a normal lifestyle. In this case, not only bones are affected, but also ligaments and tendons. This is not only a cosmetic defect, but also a serious reason to consult an orthopedic surgeon.
Causes of the appearance of bumps on the feet of the big toe
The causes of bumps on the legs are many other pathologies, among which bursitis, exostosis, arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joints, or, most characteristic, transverse flat feet appear. It has been noticed that the development of hallux valgus is also influenced by genetic factors, disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system and osteoporosis. It is noteworthy that improperly selected shoes can also do their owner a disservice.
The "risk group" includes, first of all, shoes with high heels and with a narrow toe: the load on the foot is distributed unevenly, as a result of which its anterior section is deformed and arthrosis of the thumb joint occurs. The causes of hallux valgus also include various injuries of the lower leg and foot, congenital defects or the consequences of severe neuromuscular diseases (poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy).
Let's take a closer look at the main diseases that lead to the development of bumps on the big toe.
Hallux valgus is a curvature of its axis, when the midfoot goes down, the heel is turned outward, and its inner edge goes down. At the same time, the feet flatten, fall inward. Incorrect redistribution of the load on the foot leads to the fact that the big toe is displaced outward, and the metatarsophalangeal joint protrudes to the side. As the pathology progresses, the deformation will intensify, as a result of which a growth is formed on the bone.
The following pathologies are capable of provoking hallux valgus with the formation of bumps:
- Congenital connective tissue dysplasia.
- Postponed bone fractures, ligament rupture.
- Osteoporosis.
- Diseases of the endocrine system, including diabetes mellitus.
- Posture disorders.
- Congenital malformations of the foot. Such a pathology is not detected immediately, but as the child grows up, when he begins to walk, wear improperly selected shoes, does not experience adequate physical exertion.
- The patient has flat feet.
- If a person with flat feet gains weight rapidly, as often happens with women when carrying a child, the bumps on the toe will increase in size as the disease begins to progress.
- Postponed paralysis and skeletal trauma of the foot can lead to the appearance of bumps, even in the case when the patient has not previously been diagnosed with flat feet.
The bumps on the legs will be the larger in size, the stronger the abduction of the hind and forefoot.
Gout is a rheumatic pathology, which is accompanied by the deposition of crystals of uric acid salts in the joints, and after a while in the kidneys. With gout, bumps form in the area of the thumb, which are called tophi and gouty nodules. They are an accumulation of salt crystals in soft tissues. In addition to the lower limbs, such bumps appear on the thighs, legs, feet.
Tophus are not the only manifestation of the disease. The thumb swells during an acute attack of gout due to inflammation of its joints. This phenomenon is called gouty arthritis.
The reasons that can provoke the development of gout include:
- Hereditary predisposition to metabolic disorders in the body.
- Overeating, including a large number of meat dishes on the menu.
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- Kidney disease.
- Leukemia, lymphoma and polycythemia.
- Psoriasis.
- Treatment with cytostatics and some other drugs.
- Alcohol abuse.
Most often men over 40 suffer from gout. Women get sick 20 times less often than men.
Read more: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Gout on the Feet
Rheumatoid arthritis. In this disease, the small joints, including the joints of the big toes, are primarily affected. Bumps form due to severe inflammation of the joint tissues. The development of the disease can be provoked by such reasons as:
- Immunological disorders.
- Infections: transferred rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, Epstein-Barr virus, etc.
The consequence of rheumatoid arthritis is the formation of joint contractures, their subluxation, chronic inflammation.
External causes, for example, wearing high-heeled shoes, getting a serious injury, etc. In this case, bumps on the big toes appear due to the fact that the load on the lower limbs is not distributed correctly, which leads to deformation of the joints, the appearance of calluses on the bone tissues, as well as their proliferation.
Video: why do bones and bumps appear on the legs?
It is extremely important to detect the appearing lump in time and consult a doctor, because the successful outcome of treatment depends on this. Otherwise, pain will appear, surgery may be needed, or the person will become lame.
Read more: Rheumatoid arthritis - causes, symptoms, stages and diagnosis
Symptoms of bumps on the feet of the big toe
Bumps on the feet of the big toe appear in various diseases. They look like unnatural formations, towering above the joint of the thumb, or to the side of it. Bumps worsen the appearance of a limb, are a cosmetic defect, and make a person feel psychological discomfort.
Depending on the underlying disease that provoked the appearance of bumps on the toes, the following symptoms are distinguished:
- With hallux valgus, the patient is concerned about pain during walking and at rest, which is especially aggravated by wearing improperly fitted shoes. It hurts not only the lump itself, but also the muscles of the lower leg. A person's gait is noticeably disturbed. The patient rests on the floor with the entire surface of the foot. If the disorder is not treated, then hallux valgus will progress. Depending on the reason that provoked the appearance of bumps on the foot, the patient may have symptoms of diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, thyroid diseases, etc.
- With an acute attack of gout, a person experiences sharp pains in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the thumb, he swells greatly. The skin over the joint becomes red and shiny, hot to the touch.
- With rheumatoid arthritis, the patient's joints of the fingers on both legs become inflamed at the same time. In the morning, a person will experience stiffness in them. Bumps on the toes are a consequence of the accumulation of intra-articular exudate, their deformation due to the replacement of the normal tissue of the synovial bags with fibrous tissue. In the end, the patient will experience complete immobilization of the affected joints. In addition to the lower limbs, the hands are often affected.
Common symptoms of bumps on the big toe include:
- Fatigue in the legs, which is especially noticeable towards the end of the working day.
- It is difficult for a person with a bump on his foot to choose shoes.
- When wearing open and closed shoes, the patient will experience painful sensations.
- Calluses are more likely to appear on the toes and on the sole of the foot.
- As the pathology progresses, the person will have difficulty wearing shoes that were previously at the time.
At an early stage of the development of pathology, the thumb only slightly deviates to the side, and the lump itself is completely invisible. Then it will begin to increase in size, a dry callus may form under the middle phalanx of the finger.
The third stage of the development of pathology is accompanied by a pronounced displacement of the thumb. At the same time, its top will be turned towards the inner side of the foot. The lump becomes larger, the skin at the site of its localization undergoes excessive keratinization. If the deformation is not eliminated, then this will lead to the fact that all the other toes of the foot will begin to undergo pathological changes.
When should you see a doctor?
What are serious enough symptoms that require an immediate visit to an orthopedist? First of all, this is the formation of a bump in the metatarsophalangeal joint. You should also pay attention to swelling and redness near the thumb (at its base). Thickening of the skin, calluses or unpleasant painful sensations are also possible. A bump appears when the head of the metatarsal bone bulges and the big toe is deflected outward. This area of the foot is compressed by the shoe, causing discomfort and pain.
Diagnosis of bumps on the legs
Diagnosis of bumps on the legs begins with an external examination of the patient, palpation and listening to the patient's main complaints. The doctor evaluates the structure of the patient's foot, examines the relationship of the fingers to each other. It is important to track the features of a person's gait, to clarify the nature of the shoes he wears.
Without fail, the patient is referred to such diagnostic procedures as:
- Radiography of the feet.
- Plantography. This method makes it possible to detect flat feet by sole marks.
- Donation of blood for the detection of rheumatoid factor and antikeratin antibodies.
- Donation of blood for general and biochemical analysis.
- MRI of the affected joint.
- Puncture of the joint fluid with its further study.
Sometimes you need to consult not only an orthopedist, but also a neurologist, neurosurgeon, endocrinologist, rheumatologist. People with gout will need to see a urologist.
Treating bumps on the big toes
Treatment for bumps on the legs will depend on the cause that triggered their appearance.
Treatment of bumps on the big toes with hallux valgus
Modern medicine allows you to get rid of bumps on your legs through surgery. There are about 200 types of surgical intervention. All of them are aimed at reducing the angle between the metatarsal bones. At the same time, it is possible to preserve not only the joint itself, but also its mobility.
At the initial stage of the formation of pathology, the problem can be dealt with by conservative methods. The patient is shown wearing bandages and insoles, which sometimes help to restore the metatarsal bone to its correct shape. In addition, the insoles make it possible to prevent the further development of deformation, as well as to consolidate the result of the treatment carried out.
The first stage of bumps on the leg with hallux valgus can be treated with the following methods:
- Losing excess weight through diet and increased physical activity.
- Physiotherapy methods: application of therapeutic mud, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, paraffin therapy.
- Physiotherapy exercises according to individually designed complexes. These can be as simple exercises, for example, spreading the fingers in the form of a fan, clenching and unclenching the fingers, as well as complex exercises that are carried out together with a trainer.
- A visit to the massage therapist's office or self-massage. You can rotate the big toe in the phalanx area with your hands clockwise, you can massage the muscles passing between the fingers, as well as the ligaments of the big toe and the muscles on the inside of the toe.
- Use of corrective insoles and bandages. The insoles reduce the load on the forefoot, transfer weight correctly and give the foot a natural physiological position. There is a special depression under the heel of the insole, under the arch of the foot there is an orthopedic instep support, and in its nose there are straps that allow you to correctly place your toes in the shoe. The insoles have additional fixators and a metatarsal cushion. Bandages allow you to keep your finger in the correct position. They are worn at night, and insoles, on the contrary, are used during the day.
- Taking a course of shock wave therapy.
- Use of drugs from the NSAID group. In general, these drugs do not affect the development of the disease, but help to eliminate pain and relieve inflammation, which makes it possible to make the patient feel better.
- Creams and ointments can relieve inflammation, increase blood circulation in the affected area and relieve pain, including: Turpentine ointment, ointment based on shark fat, Valgusteen gel, Foot Bump cream, etc.
Severe deformity with large bumps requires surgical intervention.
Depending on the cause of the disease and the stage of its development, the following surgical procedures can be performed:
- Removal of a bump using a laser.
- Joint replacement with an implant.
- Performing a resection with arthroplasty.
- Osteotomy.
- Performing arthrodesis of the talocalcaneal joint.
- Tendon transplant or shortening.
- Exostectomy, in which not only part of the metatarsal head is excised, but also the soft tissue around it.
The Vredena-Mayo operation to remove bones on the legs has a good cosmetic effect. In this case, in addition to the bump, the head of the 1st metatarsal bone will be sawed off. However, the patient will have most of the abutment bone removed, which may cause the disorder to recur.
Minimally invasive techniques, in which the incision does not exceed 3 mm, allow the patient to recover quickly, since the doctor performs all the manipulations through small punctures. The operation is performed under the control of an X-ray machine. However, such procedures are applicable only with a slight deformation of the thumb.
With the help of a laser, the doctor is able to cut tissue in thin layers, so the mobility of the joints is preserved. In addition, such an operation allows to reduce the rehabilitation period and prevent the development of bleeding and wound infection. The bump on the toe is also laser polished until it is flush with the lateral surface of the foot. Laser treatment can be combined with osteotomy or arthroplasty.
As it becomes clear, there are many operations to remove bumps on the feet of the big toe, but their main stages differ little. The doctor makes an incision on the inside of the phalanx of the first toe, dissects its capsule, excises the bump itself, saws through the first metatarsal bone and moves its fragments, giving them the correct position. Screws or staples are used to fix the bone. Then the doctor sews up the incised capsule and the incision itself, applying a sterile dressing on top.
In the future, the patient is required to wear either a cast or a fixation bandage. The load from the foot during the rehabilitation period should be reduced as much as possible.
The operation may not be performed on all patients. Contraindications to its implementation: severe cardiovascular pathologies, thrombosis, blood clotting disorders, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and some other pathologies.
Treatment of bumps on the legs for gout
Treatment for gout is based on controlling the level of uric acid in the body, for which it is necessary to reduce its production. To do this, the patient is prescribed a diet with the rejection of meat and fish dishes, vegetables, mushrooms, caviar. It is imperative to limit your salt intake. The patient should drink at least 3 liters of water per day.
To stop pain and relieve inflammation, patients are shown taking Indomethacin and Colchicine. Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels, such as Diclofenac or Voltaren, are applied to the affected finger. With the help of drugs such as Sulfinpyrazone and Probenecid, uric acid will be excreted from the body faster. You can reduce its production using the drug Allopurinol.
If there is a large amount of intra-articular effusion, then a puncture is performed with its evacuation. Perhaps intra-articular administration of hormonal drugs, for example, Prednisolone. The earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Treatment of bumps on the legs with rheumatoid arthritis
To cope with bumps on the legs with rheumatoid arthritis, the patient is prescribed drugs from the NSAID group, for example, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, etc. To reduce the rate of destruction of articular tissue, drugs such as Sulfasalazine and Leflunomide will help. Possible injection of tumor necrosis factors: Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are advised to visit the pool, go in for swimming, and perform exercise therapy.
Surgical treatments include arthroscopy and joint replacement. They are used when the articular structures can no longer be restored or are severely destroyed.
If 1-2 joints become inflamed at the same time, and the process itself is not too intense, then the prognosis for recovery is favorable. With polyarthritis, it gets worse.
Video: Dr. Evdokimenko “How to treat a bone on the big toe - personal experience. Is it gout? Do I need to do an operation. :
Simple gymnastics for feet and toes
If a person begins to notice that bumps are forming in the area of the big toes, then he needs to perform gymnastic complexes. This is especially true for people in whom joint deformation occurs due to wearing improperly selected shoes and prolonged standing.
Exercises to be done daily:
- Sitting on a chair, raise your leg, then bend and unbend it at the ankle joint.
- Leading the feet inward and outward.
- Rolling small objects such as a ballpoint pen with your toes. You can try to lift it with your toes.
- In a sitting position, you need to try to crumple a sheet of paper with your toes.
- Move your toes in different directions.
- Exercise "fan", in which the toes are spread as much as possible in different directions and move them back and forth.
These simple exercises can improve the blood supply to the articular tissues, speed up recovery and prevent the progression of the pathological process. They can be performed even at the workplace, unnoticed by the people around. First of all, the regularity of such a complex is important.
Prevention of the formation of bumps on the legs
To prevent the formation of bumps on the legs in the area of the big toe, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Refuse to wear uncomfortable shoes. You need to minimize your time in high heels. Shoes should not be too narrow or wide. A person should feel comfortable in it. If there is a medical indication, then you need to use orthopedic insoles.
- It is important to monitor your own body weight. With obesity, you need to follow a diet and exercise.
- Regular self-massage of the lower leg and exercise therapy for the feet are useful.
- Be sure to adhere to a diet, excluding fatty and spicy dishes from the menu.
- You must refuse to take alcoholic beverages.
If you have a hereditary predisposition to gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or hallux valgus, you need to see a doctor regularly. It is easier to prevent the formation of bumps on the legs than to treat them for a long time and painfully.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
