Pain In The Big Toes And In The Bone On The Leg (bumps) - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Pain In The Big Toes

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Pain in the big toes and bone in the leg (bumps)

Causes and symptoms of pain in the big toes

Vascular pathology, arthritis, arthrosis are the most common causes of pain in the toes and the formation of bumps on the foot.

Causes of pain in toes

Typically, pain in the big toes accompanies reactive or psoriatic arthritis, as well as true gout, which only occurs in men. In women, arthrosis of the big toe develops much more often, which is due to fashion trends that force them to wear narrow, tight, uncomfortable shoes.

As a result of forced compression of the big toe, it is strongly deformed and deflected inward, closely adhering to the second toe. Because of this, the bone begins to protrude unnecessarily, becoming even more injured during movement. Gradually, the deformation affects the entire joint, it thickens and expands noticeably, movement is difficult.

Morton's neuroma is another fairly common cause of pain in the toes, mainly in women. As a result of constant friction and pinching of the nerve endings, the nerve becomes inflamed and begins to hurt, which is also due to a frivolous attitude towards one's health and following fashion trends in choosing shoes. Diabetes mellitus can also cause pain in the toes, impaired nervous activity and blood circulation in this disease provokes pain syndrome.

In the etiology of the appearance of bumps on the legs, a complex of reasons is distinguished, among which mechanical factors and a hereditary predisposition to foot deformities (weakness of the ligamentous apparatus) prevail. There is a likelihood of lumps appearing after injuries or various neuromuscular disorders; in people with flat feet.

Symptoms of pain in toes

At the initial stage of arthrosis of the big toe, all deformities can be reversible. If the treatment is not started on time, then the process is aggravated, the thumb is so strongly fixed in the pathological position that it is almost impossible to return it to its original position. The inflammatory process of the periarticular bag joins, which is subjected to constant friction and additional trauma. As a result, the joint turns red, swells, and at the slightest touch, periodic pains are noted.

Gradually, the big toe displaces the second toe with its pressure, and then the third toe, a combined deformity of the entire foot develops, which is very difficult to treat.

With Morton's neuroma, it is not the toes that hurt, but their bases due to the transmitted nerve.

Due to the regular injury and pinching of the nerve with narrow tight shoes, the nerve becomes inflamed, increases in size and begins to hurt. A typical symptom is pain at the base of the fingers that gets worse with long walking or heavy lifting.

With the further development of the disease, pain may be present in the adjacent fingers and calf muscles.

Diabetes mellitus gradually leads to increased activity of nerve endings and impaired blood circulation, which is manifested by a strong burning sensation in the foot, usually at night. Pain in the thumb that occurs during movement or due to hypothermia usually indicates diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities. The highest probability of detecting such diseases is in smokers, in those who abuse alcohol and in patients with metabolic disorders.

Diseases of the arteries of the legs include obstetric endarteritis and atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities. Normal blood circulation is impaired, which leads to oxygen starvation and pain in the fingers and feet.

Diagnosis of pain in toes

The examination algorithm is drawn up on the basis of an objective external examination and a thorough collection of anamnesis. The survey takes into account factors such as heredity, foot injuries, joint diseases. In addition to standard research methods, an X-ray is prescribed, which allows you to see a specific pathology. A serological blood test reveals rheumatoid diseases. Angiographic examination is prescribed for suspected vascular pathology.

Toe pain treatment

As a rule, timely started treatment can significantly reduce or completely remove pain syndrome. In addition, it is very important to establish the cause, which may be due to a serious illness. First of all, you should consult a doctor. If pain in the toes is a manifestation of rheumatoid diseases, then anti-inflammatory treatment, corticosteroid drugs are prescribed. Manual therapy and physiotherapy are widely used, including therapeutic massage, exercise, massage.

If pain in toes is the result of mechanical factors or injuries, it is recommended to eliminate these causes, for example, replace tight shoes with looser and more comfortable shoes with special orthopedic inserts. With vascular disease or diabetes mellitus, it is advisable to follow a diet and control your weight.

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.