Recurring toe pain can be caused by several different factors. Whatever the cause, it is frustrating to experience pain in your toes that keeps coming back. While the pain may subside temporarily with rest and home remedies, it’s likely to continue to come back until the cause is identified and treated.
The board-certified podiatrists at The Foot Institute are here to help. We regularly help patients throughout the El Paso area deal with recurring toe joint pain and other foot and ankle problems. Our team is here to help uncover the root causes of your pain and develop an individualized treatment plan that will help you find relief. Below, we discuss several potential causes of recurrent toe pain.
Arthritis: A Leading Cause of Chronic Toe Joint Pain
Arthritis is a common cause of persistent toe pain. Arthritis is a broad term encompassing a number of conditions that cause joint inflammation and stiffness. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)are the forms of this condition most likely to affect the toes.
Osteoarthritis
Often referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushioning your joints breaks down over time. As the protective cartilage wears away, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis frequently affects the big toe joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is an autoimmune disease that causes your body's immune system to mistakenly attack healthy joint tissue. RA often begins in the small joints of the hands and feet, including the toes. Symptoms may flare up periodically, leading to recurring pain.
Gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, triggering intense pain and swelling. Gout most often affects the joint of the big toe. Attacks can last for days or weeks and may recur if the underlying cause is not addressed.
Bunions and Hammer Toes: Progressive Toe Deformities
Arthritis isn’t the only common cause of persistent toe pain. Toe deformities like bunions and hammer toes can cause recurring joint pain as they progress.
Bunions
A bunion occurs when a bony bump forms at the base of the big toe and causes it to push against the toe beside it, forcing the joint out of alignment. Bunions develop gradually and often result from inherited foot structure or wearing tight, narrow shoes. Pain associated with bunions may come and go initially, but it tends to become more persistent as the bunion enlarges.
Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a condition that occurs when one or more of the middle toes bends at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. Muscle imbalances, arthritis, or wearing ill-fitting shoes can contribute to hammer toe development. Toe joints affected by hammer toe often ache, especially when wearing shoes or walking.
Less Common Culprits: Sesamoiditis and Stress Fractures
While less prevalent than arthritis or toe deformities, sesamoiditis and stress fractures can also lead to recurring toe pain:
Sesamoiditis
The sesamoids are two small bones beneath the big toe joint. Sesamoiditis refers to inflammation of the tendons and tissues surrounding these bones, often due to overuse or high-impact activities. Pain associated with this condition tends to develop gradually and may come and go with activity levels.
Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a tiny crack that can form in the toe bones due to repetitive stress or impact. Runners, dancers, and those who suddenly increase their activity levels are at higher risk for stress fractures in their toes. The pain of stress fractures usually worsens with weight-bearing activity and subsides with rest. However, if the fracture is not properly treated, the pain tends to return when activity resumes.
When to See an El Paso Podiatrist for Recurring Toe Pain
Minor toe discomfort that resolves within a day or two usually isn't cause for concern. However, you should never ignore chronic foot pain. It’s important to seek treatment from a podiatrist if you experience toe pain that keeps coming back. It’s especially important to seek podiatric care if you experience any of the following:
- Severe pain that limits your daily activities
- Pain that lasts more than a few days or keeps returning
- Swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected toe joint
- Visible changes in your toe’s appearance or alignment
- Difficulty bending or straightening your toe
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the toes
Treatment Options for Toe Pain That Keeps Coming Back
Ignoring recurrent toe pain won’t lead to improvement and could lead to worse pain than you are already experiencing. Rather than continuing to deal with unexplained foot pain, it’s best to see a foot doctor for help.
The skilled El Paso podiatrists at The Foot Institute can diagnose the underlying cause of your recurring toe joint pain and recommend an effective treatment plan. Depending on your specific condition, treatment may include:
- Custom orthotics to redistribute pressure and support proper alignment
- Medications to manage pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen toe muscles
- Lifestyle modifications, such as changing footwear or adjusting activities
- Surgical intervention for severe conditions that don’t benefit from conservative treatment