Pain Under the Big Toe Joint in Glasgow
Pain under the big toe joint can make walking, running and pushing off feel difficult. It may involve the joint, sesamoids, tendons, skin pressure or footwear load.
What it can feel like
Symptoms can include sharp pain under the big toe, swelling, pain pushing off, pain in flexible shoes or a feeling of pressure under the joint.
Common causes
- Sesamoid irritation
- Big toe joint overload
- Footwear pressure
- Reduced big toe mobility
- Callus or soft tissue pressure
How we assess it
Assessment looks at the big toe joint, painful structures, footwear, callus, push-off pattern and whether imaging or offloading is appropriate.
Treatment options
- Offloading advice
- Footwear modification
- Orthotic or padding support
- Joint mobility and strength work
- Referral for imaging if needed
Questions people often ask
Is pain under the big toe always a bunion?
No. The pain may come from the sesamoids, joint, tendons, skin pressure or footwear load.
Can I run with big toe joint pain?
It depends on severity and cause. Running may need modified while the painful area is offloaded and assessed.