Pain in the Big Toe

Do you have pain in your big toe when you are walking? There is a condition called hallux limitus that refers to when your big toe is unable to move more than a limited amount of motion. As a result, there will be pain when you try to walk or run because your big toe doesn’t have the motion to walk normally. As a result, it will feel like there is a stop or a block preventing you from moving through the motion.

So, what can be done for this condition? In the beginning stages, you may just need some padding to offload the area for you so that there is no pressure in the area. As you progress though, you may have difficulty with enough motion, so you may need a shoe modification that will allow you to rock through the motion and not have to do it on your own.

Eventually, if nothing else works, surgery is an option. There are different types, including just cleaning out the joint, giving the joint more space or fusing the joint if it can’t be fixed. The surgeries are very straightforward. The healing process is a little more though. You will need stitches for at least 2 weeks and you could have swelling for months after. The most important thing you can do is elevate your feet to help the swelling decrease.

So, if you or someone you know is having pain at their big toe, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Newburyport or Bradford, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.