March 2023

The reasons behind toe pain can consist of having nerve damage or enduring an injury. It may also happen from a joint deformity, such as hammertoe, and may reduce the ability to walk and stand comfortably. Many people have arthritis, and the toe joints may become inflamed, often causing severe toe pain. Additionally, gout is another form of arthritis and happens when excess uric acid in the blood converts to crystals that form in the joints of the big toe. This condition can develop from genetic reasons, or from eating foods that have large amounts of purines. A source of pain can be a bunion, which is defined as a bony protrusion that forms on the side of the big toe. This generally occurs from wearing shoes that do not have ample room for the toes to move freely in. Severe bunions may cause the other toes to shift together, and it may be uncomfortable while wearing shoes. If you have pain in your toes for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can offer you a proper diagnosis and correct treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Mark Spier of Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Reisterstown, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

With 26 bones in the feet, accompanied by many tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, foot pain is often a fact of life at some time or another. Foot pain can make conducting simple daily activities difficult as well as interfere with sleep. Paying attention to persistent foot pain and getting treatment for it is suggested by seeing a podiatrist. Many treatment options are available, depending on the cause. Pain in the joints of the feet, commonly in those between the toes and metatarsals, is often caused by arthritis or nerve damage. It also may be a side effect of bone deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes. This may develop into metatarsalgia or pain in the ball of the foot. Stress fractures in the long bones of the foot are generally caused by overuse, such as long-distance running. Damage to the tendons and muscles of the foot, along with overuse and non-supportive footwear, can also cause foot pain. If you are experiencing persistent or worsening pain in your feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a full diagnosis, followed by appropriate treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Mark Spier from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Columbia and Reisterstown, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.