What Causes Toe Pain?

There are several different types of tow pain which can range from a sudden or acute injurty to injuries that are sustained after repetitious use.

A sudden or acute injury occurs from a direct blow, fall, jerking, jamming, bending the limb, or a penetrating injury which is usually sudden and severe. Acute injures can be one of the following:

• Bruising: When a patient experiences an ankle injury there is commonly bruising which extends to the toes as gravity spreads the blood vessels.
• Tendons: Injuries to the toe, especially in children, are common to boys that are between eight and 14-years-of-age. This is called “Sever’s Disease.”
• Sprains: Injuries to the joints can cause other symptoms that may lead to conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans.

There are overuse injuries that can occur when there is too much physical stress or pressure put on a toe joint or tissue that becomes injured after repeating an activity. Overuse injuries may include the following:

• Retrocalcaneal Bursitis: When the bursa become enflamed this condition cause swelling and tenderness, with the pain gradually becoming worse when the patient wears shows and during any physical activity. This condition is greatly improved by large amounts of rest.
• Stress Fracture: A hairline crack in the bone which can cause a great amount of pain if not treated promptly.
• Metatarsalgia: A pain that develops in the ball of the foot and can spread into the toes, causing chronic pain.