Big Toe-Foot Joint Pain

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Jessica0415
Jessica0415 Posts: 11
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been walking 4-5 miles at a 4mph pace about 3 nights a week now for a little over a month. From the beginning, I have had sever pain after walking in the joint where my big toe connects to my foot, above the ball of the foot. It throbs at night and still hurts the next day. I thought at first it was just because my feet weren't used to walking, and that it would improve them more I walked, but it hasn't. Then I thought that it might be my shoes, so I switched shoes and no better. Then I bought a new pair of shoes - Reebox Easy-Tones because they have cushions at the ball of the foot, thinking that would help with the extra support an padding. I wore them for the first time last night and was in worse pain than ever. Walked again tonight and still in pain.

I don't know what is causing the pain. Maybe arthritis? My toes have always cracked when I walk, even as a child. I was told I have air spaces between my joints that could lead to arthritis. Maybe stress fracture? Pain symptoms sound like a bunyon or bone spur, but I have never had any pain before I started walking and the pain goes away when I don't walk. Any ideas? I love the exercise I am getting, but not sure what to do about the pain.

Thanks!

Replies

  • muskiemama
    muskiemama Posts: 45
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    I have the same problem. I have bunions and, if I'm up on my feet alot or try to walk for exercise, they kill me. I have switched to a stationary bike; at least until I lose enough weight that they won't bother me. Try soaking your feet in warm water with some epsom salts and take some ibuprofen for the pain.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
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    I have the same thing. I have Gout. Got it in my 20's. Read up on it.Try to drink a LLLLLLLLLoootttttttttttt of water. If it keeps up go to the Doctor and have some blood work. :flowerforyou:
  • McHeather
    McHeather Posts: 105 Member
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    You may be growing a bunion! I had the same problem about 4 years ago. My doctor recommended orthotics which I got and they help. I also got yoga sandals. They separate each toe and that's what has stopped the pain in my toe. You're supposed to wear them 2 hours a day to prevent the bunions. I couldn't wear them longer than 5 minutes the first while because it seemed to hurt more, but it didn't take long until I felt I needed them. I'd get home from work and take my socks off to wear my yoga sandals. It was like a daily foot massage. If I go longer than 2 weeks without them (still using my orthotics) the pain in my toe starts to come back.
  • hm_day
    hm_day Posts: 857 Member
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    It might be the way you're walking. Do you tend to put a LOT of weight on the ball of your foot? Try walking more towards the center, more on the arch of the foot. Or, even though it's not typically recommended, try walking heel to toe instead of toe to heel. My father has had 3 knee surgeries and has to walk heel to toe to avoid shin splints.

    If this doesn't help, then I definitely suggest seeing a doctor to see about getting it looked at.
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
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    Two things you might need bigger shoes, for walking or running you should have a shoe a half to a full size bigger. You may also have a bunion which causes the big toe and the joint to ache, that you can't really help but a bigger shoe or toe box on the shoe will help eleviate that pain. Of course I'm not a doctor but I have the same issue and I have found wearing a larger shoe has helped. :wink:
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
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    I would go and get a quick x-ray and see what is doing. Your feet are the vehicles that will carry you your whole life. Don't mess with the feet. I'm not a big "run to the doctor" type, but your feet are forever. See a podiatrist.
  • iamrobyn
    iamrobyn Posts: 85
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    I have been working out for a little over a month now. I had a problem with my feet as well. Someone on MFP suggested that I go get a good pair of running shoes (I don't really run..I walk) at a specialty store. I have worn a size 10 for last 10 years of my life..to my shock I needed a size 11 running shoe. Since then I have not had an issue. Did you get your foot resized when you bought your new shoes? I had intially gone to a mall store and tried on some New Balance shoes in a 10, and I would have had the same issue had I not been properly fitted. Might not be the problem..but a possibility?
  • amberdaniels
    amberdaniels Posts: 96
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    I have a similar problem. It is on my left foot only. They have done the tests that check for arthritis but they say I do not have it. They have done x-rays and nothing. The only thing that I have found that works for my foot pain is Z-Coils. The are the bomb. I had tendinitis in both feet at one point and with in 2 months of getting and wearing these shoes I no longer had tendinitis. I don't know what is causing your pain or mine for that matter, but I am about to turn back to an old friend. They are not cheap and a lot of people think they are ugly, but they are worth every penny and the support. I hope this helps you out!

    Be blessed!
  • TourThePast
    TourThePast Posts: 1,753 Member
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    I had something similar, and ended up being barely able to walk and was worried about being able to function in my job. My doctor told me it was inevitable and like my mother I'd eventually need an operation to fuse the joint.

    My partner persuaded me to visit a sports physio, who immediately spotted that due to my being flat footed all my weight was resting on my big toe, and suggested ortho inserts for my shoes. Since then it's flared up occasionally, but by wearing orthos I'm now in a position where that operation is decades away, rather than being imminent.

    Not suggesting that you have the same problem, but do take expert advice. I'm so grateful I was persuaded to.
  • Nikkiham520
    Nikkiham520 Posts: 117 Member
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    Maybe you overpronate and land on that joint? Idk where you are, but i go to a specialty shoe store to get fitted for my running shoes (Fleet Feet). I underpronate, and it will KILL me if I have the wrong shoes for my feet. Good luck!!
  • ThePhoenixRose
    ThePhoenixRose Posts: 1,985 Member
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    If it's red and warm to the touch, it could be gout. Sounds strange, but I had it when I was about 23. They say normally men over 50 get it, but anyone can get it. I think it's caused by too much uric acid.

    Good luck, I hope you get better quickly so you can continue your journey!
  • Jessica0415
    Jessica0415 Posts: 11
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    I take a LOT of Ibuprofen when I get home so my aching muscles won't keep me up at night, but it doesn't seem to alleviate the pain in my foot. The new shoes I bought are a half size bigger than what I normally wear.

    Are bunions hereditary? My grandmother had them... Not sure about the gout. I have no swelling, just pain. IDK. I guess I'll have to go see the doctor and get this figured out.

    Thanks for all of your input! :)
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
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    I would recommend seeing a foot specialist, they will xray and examine your feet and tell you what the issues are and then give advice and hopefully devides to help alleviate the issues. I didn't know I had a bunion on my right foot until I was at the doctor for plantar fasciatis, he pointed it out, asked if I had ever experienced pain in the joint or big toe, showed me where one was just starting on my left foot and in the process of riding me of my plantar fasciatis issues he also helped me correct the issues that were causing the bunions. Not to mention he had great inserts that helped my over pronation since I wasn't looking to buy $400 custom orthotics at the time.

    You can get all the advice in the world here but you won't truly know whats going on or how to CORRECTLY address the issues until you see someone that specializes in foot problems, and the running store is great to buy you a great pair of shoes but they are only trained to sell you shoes not to truly correct issues of biomechanics. The running store specialists are only the icing on the cake once you know what your issues are and have GOOD inserts or orthotics to make the shoes all that much better.

    Go to the doctor.

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