Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentRisk FactorsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
This article will discuss the most common causes of hallux edema, the symptoms that typically accompany it, and the treatments that are available for it.
Deepak Verma / 500px / Getty Images
Symptoms of a Swollen Big Toe
Along with swelling in the big toe, other symptoms may be present. These include:
Causes of a Swollen Big Toe
A wide variety of diagnoses can cause swelling in the big toe. Among the most common are:
Swelling may be seen if you have jammed your big toe, dropped a heavy object on it, or had a cut or bite on the toe.
As the needlelike uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, they irritate and inflame the surrounding tissue, causing swelling to develop. In addition to causing big toe swelling, gout typically leads to sharp, stabbinghallux painthat can progress rapidly and without warning. Warmth and redness in the same region are also very common.
In many cases, the exquisite toe tenderness associated with this issue can make it very difficult to walk, wear a shoe, or even cover the foot with a bedsheet.
Symptoms of Gout
A bunionis a bony prominence that develops along the inner border of the base of the big toe. While the causes of this condition are not completely understood, it tends to progress slowly as the hallux gradually angles toward the rest of the toes.
When this occurs, a bony protrusion develops on the inner foot, which can frequently rub against the inside of your shoe. This repetitive friction often leads to inflammation and swelling around the base of the big toe.
While some bunions cause no symptoms, advanced bony prominences tend to rub against the inner border of your shoe. In addition to causing big toe swelling, this increased friction can lead to the development of hardened or callused skin along the bottom or inner border of the foot.
In addition, redness and pain commonly occur, and the range of motion in the big toe may become limited.
Foot Problems People Mistake for a Bunion
The joint at the base of the big toe (called the first metatarsophalangeal, orfirst MTP joint) is a common area forosteoarthritisto develop. This degenerative condition (called hallux rigidus) occurs when the smooth, slippery cartilage that lines the endings of bones begins to thin or deteriorate.
As this happens, friction increases as the bones move against one another, and bone spurs begin to develop in the joint. These spurs often lead to stiffness and swelling in the big toe.
Osteoarthritis in the first MTP joint commonly causes pain or soreness in the hallux as you push off your foot or participate in more active tasks. A bony prominence or bump may also begin to protrude from the top portion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
In addition, stiffness can develop in the joint and make it difficult to move your first toe up and down.
How to Treat a Swollen Big Toe
In advanced cases of hallux osteoarthritis, surgery is sometimes needed to remove a bone spur (calledacheilectomy)or to fuse or replace the first MTP joint.Bunions causing pain and swelling may also needa surgical procedureto realign the first toe.
In the case of gout, some at-home remedies may also be helpful. These include taking NSAIDs and eating or drinkinguric acid–lowering foodslike cherries or skim milk.
In many cases of gout, more potent pain-relieving medications, likecorticosteroids, or uric acid–lowering drugs, like Colchrys (colchicine), are needed.In addition, aninflammation-reducing steroid injectionmay also be administered if medication fails to effectively alleviate the big toe swelling.
Risk Factors Associated With Big Toe Swelling
Several risk factors make you more likely to develop big toe swelling from gout. These include:
The risk factors for developing hallux valgus are a little less definitive. Bunions seem to occur more in people with a family history of the condition, in those who consistently wear poorly-fitting shoes, and in individuals who also have an inflammatory or neuromuscular condition (likerheumatoid arthritisorpolio).
Along the same lines, it is not completely clear why hallux rigidus affects some people and not others. The condition tends to develop in individuals between ages 30 and 60. Prior foot injuries or anatomical variations in the foot or toes can also increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis-related swelling.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Big Toe Swelling?
A healthcare provider will commonly use several different clinical tools to determine the cause of your big toe swelling. In addition to a physical exam, the following tests may be ordered:
While low levels of swelling in the big toe can often be self-managed at home, new or progressively worsening swelling should be reported immediately to a healthcare provider.
Summary
Some types of swelling can be addressed with self-care and over-the-counter treatments like icing or NSAIDs, others require medical interventions like an injection or surgery.
It is important to speak to a healthcare provider about any fluid buildup you are experiencing in your foot. Taking this first step can help diagnose your problem’s cause and identify the right treatments for you.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Rheumatology.Gout.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus).
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Rheumatology.Gout.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Rheumatology.Gout.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus).
American College of Rheumatology.Gout.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Bunions.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
