Pain in the joints of the big toes. Diseases of the joints of the legs. Sick people complain about

If a joint hurts on your leg thumb, then you need to find the cause of the discomfort. This is often how inflammatory or degenerative pathology manifests itself. At timely diagnosis and carrying out due conservative treatment manages to stop it initial stage development. And here constant reception and the lack of medical intervention often leads to rapid progression of the disease.

Why might your thumb joint hurt?

Pain in the joint of the big toe often occurs when wearing new shoes and is usually caused by callus formation or rubbing. In such cases, it quickly weakens immediately after the skin heals.

The development of pathology is indicated by the appearance of pain more than once a week, and a gradual increase in its intensity. Indirect signs An inflammatory or destructive process results in swelling and redness of the skin over the joint and its stiffness.

Arthritis

When a patient complains of pain in the joint of the big toe, the doctor first of all assumes the development. This is a serious pathology that cannot yet be completely cured. But long-term use allows you to achieve stable remission and slow down.

Also, the cause of pain can be caused by penetration into the joint cavity. pathogenic bacteria. Carrying out helps to eliminate all the symptoms of pathology.

Less commonly, the appearance of discomfort is provoked by a disease that develops due to an inadequate response of the immune system to the introduction of infectious or allergic agents. The disease can be completely cured in 60% of cases.

Arthrosis

Pain in the toe occurs with grade 2 severity. And at the initial stage of development, only weak ones occasionally appear discomfort after a long walk, heavy lifting, intense sports training. It is in the absence of symptoms that the difficulties of treating this degenerative-dystrophic pathology lie. The patient consults a doctor if irreversible changes in cartilage and bone tissue have already occurred.

Pain of similar localization in men - specific sign lesions of the toe. This joint is involved in inflammatory process and in women, but usually a little later, after damage to the small joints of the hands. develops due to dysregulation of purine synthesis in the body. Level up uric acid and its salts, and then they crystallize, accumulate and, irritating tissues, provoking the development of inflammation. An indirect confirmation of a gouty attack is redness of the finger, strong increase local temperature.

Bursitis

Is it acute, subacute or chronic inflammation bursa, accompanied by the accumulation of exudate in its cavity. can be infectious, developing after penetration into the joint pathogenic microorganisms, for example, in case of injuries.

Its cause can be respiratory, urogenital, intestinal infections. After visiting a doctor, patients are prescribed antibiotics to destroy pathogenic bacteria and eliminate symptoms.

Tendon inflammation

Which doctor should I contact?

If you suspect a relationship between a previous injury and pain in a finger joint, you should make an appointment with a traumatologist. In all other cases, it is advisable to contact an orthopedist who treats pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. A visit to a therapist would not be a mistake either. He will appoint the necessary diagnostic measures, and after studying them will refer the patient to doctors narrow specialization- orthopedist, rheumatologist, traumatologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis is made based on the patient’s complaints, anamnestic data, the results of an external examination and instrumental studies. The most informative is radiography. The resulting images clearly visualize changes in the structure of bone and cartilage tissue, characteristic of gout and some types of arthritis.

X-ray of the foot.

Surgery

Indications for surgical intervention are pain in the joint that cannot be eliminated with medication, complications that have developed, and severe deformation of the joint. The method of performing the operation is chosen by the attending physician. IN severe cases The entire joint is removed, followed by arthrodesis or installation of an endoprosthesis. In other cases, bone or cartilage defects are excised, and ligament or tendon plastic surgery is performed.

Traditional methods

Elimination is not only impractical, but also dangerous. If they are caused by inflammation, then use alcohol tinctures or ointments with a warming effect will lead to the rapid spread of pathology to healthy tissues and joints.

Folk remedies are ineffective in the treatment of arthrosis, gout, infectious diseases. They can be used only after the main treatment with the permission of a doctor.

Massotherapy

Classic, spot, vacuum massage - effective method therapy for all joint diseases. But they carry out healing procedures only after restoration of injured articular structures, cupping acute inflammation and expressed pain syndrome. During the rehabilitation stage, patients are shown massage to improve blood circulation and accelerate tissue regeneration.

Preventive measures

Prevention of pain in the joint of the big toe consists of eliminating traumatic situations and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Doctors recommend wearing shoes with low heels, regularly doing physical therapy and gymnastics, and undergoing a medical examination every 6-12 months.

If a person constantly has pain in the joints of his toes, this symptom should not be ignored, because the causes of the discomfort may be unsafe. The problem often worries older people due to the progression of degenerative joint diseases. But sometimes the finger swells and hurts in young men and women due to injuries, dislocations, as well as congenital pathologies. In order to properly treat the disease that provoked joint disorders, it is important to place accurate diagnosis. To do this, you need to visit a doctor and undergo a full diagnosis.

The main causes of pain in the joints of the toes

If a person, when walking and at rest, feels that his feet and big toe joint are very painful, while the phalanges increase in size and turn red, it is dangerous to ignore such symptoms, because often similar manifestations talk about development in the body dangerous disease. But sometimes the cause of pain can be wearing uncomfortable, tight shoes, which put pressure on the feet and cause pain in the toes. The most common diseases that cause pain in the left or right foot are presented below.

Degenerative arthrosis

The most common cause of long, aching and sharp pain. With this disease, degeneration progresses in the soft joint structures, and then in the bone tissue. At first, the pathology affects the big toes, but over time the inflammation spreads, and the patient complains that his little toe is very painful. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes more acute. Swelling develops and the phalanges increase two to three times, and a burning sensation is also felt.

Inflammatory arthritis


Arthritis can develop with constant load on your feet.

Develops more often in people with undertreated infectious inflammation, violation metabolic processes, as well as with constant load on the lower limbs. With arthritis, the toes hurt as a result of the progression of an inflammatory complication, as a result of which degenerative disorders are observed in the joint structures of the extremities. In this case, the pain spreads throughout the entire sole, which especially aches and ache after exercise. If the patient is diagnosed with another type of pathology, called rheumatoid arthritis, then the cause of its occurrence is autoimmune disorders in the body. With this disease, the symptoms are more pronounced and the treatment is complex.

Disease - gout

The disease begins to manifest itself when urate salts are deposited in the interarticular space due to metabolic disorders and their size constantly increases. In this case, the person notices that the joint is swollen, red and hot, but most of all. If the problem is not treated initial stages, gout will progress. A person will begin to experience gouty attacks, during which a sharp pain will be felt in the affected joints.

Osteoarthritis


Degenerative processes in cartilage and bone structure joints lead to osteoarthritis.

Pain in the joints of the toes occurs due to degenerative damage to the cartilage joint structures. At first the signs are mild, but over time the symptoms will intensify and the patient will begin to worry:

  • swelling and soreness;
  • crunching and skipping when walking;
  • formation of seals between the fingers.

First, the patient notices that only the thumb has become enlarged, then the second one is affected, then degenerative changes progress on the middle finger, ring finger and little finger.

Lower limb injuries

Due to injury, or fractures that damage the bone, the victim suffers from acute pain symptom. Then inflammation begins to progress, the finger becomes red, and a tumor and hematoma forms opposite the affected joint. In this case, it is important to provide first aid correctly and immediately take the victim to the emergency room.

Osteomyelitis


A rise in temperature may indicate the development of osteomyelitis.

Pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate bones and Bone marrow, provoke the formation of effusion and death of the affected structures. As it progresses, the lesion increases in size. The following symptoms appear:

  • body temperature rises;
  • concerned about signs of intoxication;
  • the pain spreads to the entire foot.

Incorrect foot position

When wearing uncomfortable shoes with heels or constant physical activity, an incorrect position of the feet is formed. Such a violation negatively affects the functioning of the entire musculoskeletal system, because the load is distributed unevenly. As a result, the pain syndrome is localized not only around the feet. Ankle, knee and hip joints, gait is impaired, and degenerative complications in the spine develop over time.


This symptom can be caused by a nail that has not been cut in time and has grown into soft fabrics finger

If the edges of the nail plate are on the fingers lower limbs cut sloppily and short, the structures of the overgrown nail dig into the skin at the tips of the toes, causing pain and inflammation. A person notices that at the site of ingrowth skin reddened, a wound with suppuration may appear, which requires immediate treatment. In this case, removing a piece of ingrown toenail yourself is contraindicated. It is worth going to a hospital where the necessary procedures will be performed.

Other pathologies

Pain in the toes can occur as the following disorders progress:

  • callus formation;
  • Morton's neuroma;
  • diabetes;
  • vascular pathologies;
  • bursitis;
  • hallux valgus deformity.

Diagnostic procedures


To identify the causes of the symptom and determine the examination tactics, you need to visit an orthopedist.

To effectively treat the problem, it is necessary to diagnose the root cause of the pain syndrome. Based on the results obtained, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and be able to select an adequate treatment regimen. At constant pain in the toes, it is first recommended to visit an orthopedist who will conduct an initial examination and refer you to the following diagnostic measures:

  • general blood and urine analysis;
  • joint puncture;
  • radiography;
  • MRI or CT.

What treatment is prescribed?

If the deviation that causes pain in the toes is diagnosed in the initial stages, a comprehensive drug treatment using certain groups drugs. If ineffective conservative method a decision is made to conduct surgery, followed by recovery period. To speed up recovery, they are prescribed helper methods treatments - physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, folk remedies. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, you will be able to recover and return to your normal lifestyle in a short time.

What to do to prevent complications?

In order not to experience severe pain and discomfort in the joints of the toes, it is first recommended to choose a comfortable orthopedic shoes and wear it daily. If articular pathologies progress, treat the disorder in a timely manner and prevent the risk of relapse. It is important to control your weight and if you have excess weight, it is better to get rid of it by consulting a nutritionist. As a preventive measure it is worthwhile to carry out healthy image life, eat right.

When a person complains that the big toe joint on his leg hurts when walking or even at rest, this may indicate either a simple bruise or serious illness bones, joints and muscles of the foot. In case of a bruise, it is not difficult to determine the cause of the pain, but if the pain began without mechanical impact, then only a doctor can understand its occurrence.

Causes of pain in the big toe

reading information

Pain in the joint of the big toe is usually due to a local or general cause. To location relate: trauma, fracture, excessive load, infectious arthritis, bursitis. To general- gout, advanced stages syphilis and tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, which affects several joints in the body, degenerative-dystrophic damage to the joints.

Paying attention to the row accompanying symptoms, manages to narrow the circle probable pathologies. For example, if the metatarsophalangeal joint has become infected and caused arthritis, the big toe will be hot to the touch and there will be redness and swelling. By the end of the day there is pain under the fingers when walking.

Important. Pain is not always a sign of disease development. Often this is the body's reaction to stress. For human body This normal manifestation defense mechanism.

The symptoms can easily be confused with those that occur with an ordinary bruise. However, if the pain is pulsating and intensifies when walking, then this indicates the presence of pus in the foot and the spread of infection. When pain bothers you at night or early morning, that is, suspicion of gout.

The main causes of pain in the big toe are the following pathologies:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Gout.
  • Bursitis.
  • Trauma, bruise, fracture.

Rheumatoid arthritis has symptomatic picture different from other diseases. It is characterized by bilateral and simultaneous damage to both feet and hands. There is no pus or infection, but the joints also swell, the bones become deformed, and the big toes curl inward.

Diagnosis

Diseases affecting the joint of the big toe have similar symptoms. The differences are minimal, and an accurate diagnosis can be made without additional research Often even the doctor fails. A rheumatologist or orthopedist prescribes x-rays, blood and urine tests, and arthrocentesis.

The x-ray image clearly shows the pathological areas and the extent of the lesion. However, an X-ray image sometimes turns out to be blank and uninformative. When there are no bone changes, it is possible we're talking about about damage to muscles, ligaments and cartilage tissue. To clarify the diagnosis, an ultrasound is prescribed.

A doctor can confirm the diagnosis of “gout” or “rheumatoid arthritis” only after biochemical analysis blood. In the test results, the urea level for gout will be over 8.7 mmol/l. Excess indicates malfunction kidney, which does not remove uric acid, but causes it to be deposited in the form of crystals on the joints. How does the complication begin? renal failure. In this case, creatinine, on the contrary, is reduced and does not reach a value of 115 mmol/l.

Advice. For the most informative picture of a biochemical blood test, on the eve of donation, physical activity, smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol should be excluded. Stress and taking any medications are also undesirable.

Arthrocentesis is important diagnostic procedure for gout. It consists in taking for analysis synovial fluid from the affected finger. The study is carried out during the period of remission. By the number of salt crystals it is possible to understand whether the treatment is helping or the patient is only getting worse.

Treatment of pain in the big toe

For a patient complaining of pain in the joint of the big toe, treatment is prescribed based on the results of the research. In this case, the primary task is to eliminate the pain syndrome. If the pathology is caused by an infection, then antibiotics are prescribed, non-steroidal drugs And antihistamines, reducing pain.

Advice. If you have persistent pain in your big toe, you should not for a long time take painkillers and postpone going to the doctor. Painkillers provide a temporary effect and often only worsen the situation, which is then more difficult to correct.

If pain relief is a mandatory action for every disease that causes discomfort in the big toe area, then a strictly individual impact on the pathology follows.

Therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

If the pathology develops against the background of an infection, antibiotics are prescribed. If there are no symptoms on the skin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. During obvious inflammation, corticosteroid drugs are administered intravenously.

Uncomfortable shoes on high heels and a narrow toe - a common cause of arthrosis of the joint of the first toe

The immunocomplex nature allows plasmapheresis to have a good effect on pathology. However, the results are always different, so it is advisable to include in the treatment basic agents that act directly on rheumatoid arthritis itself. Drugs in this group are slow in action and are not taken less than six months. And even with positive effect the patient continues to use them.

Important. During treatment rheumatoid arthritis prevention of osteoporosis through restoration is mandatory calcium metabolism. For this purpose, a diet is followed, rich in products With high content calcium.

Therapy for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage tissue, which means it is necessary to stop this degenerative process. Chondroprotectors solve this issue. The patient is quickly relieved of pain, however full recovery takes a long period. The main principle of treatment is the absence of physical activity on the affected area, as well as exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and adherence to an orthopedic regimen.

At acute form For osteoarthritis, a bandage is applied to the affected finger, which mobilizes the joint and keeps it at rest for a long time.

The main goal in the treatment of osetoarthrosis of the foot is to prevent the development of contractures and develop the joint. If this is not done, the pain in the thumb may return.

Therapy for gout

A patient with gout upon initial diagnosis or during an exacerbation is sent for treatment to a hospital, to the rheumatology department. Intensive therapy lasts 7-14 days. During this time, with adequate selection of treatment, it is possible to relieve pain and improve clinical picture diseases. When the disease subsides, the patient is observed by a nephrologist and rheumatologist on an outpatient basis.

Today some one universal medicine from gout modern medicine does not know. Therefore, the issue can only be resolved an integrated approach and breakdown various techniques. At the initial stage, a drug is prescribed to reduce the concentration of uric acid (Colchicine) and a drug to accelerate the removal of the substance from the body (Allopurinol).

Any painful sensation is a cause for concern, and pain in the joints of the big toe also serves as a harbinger of a serious illness.

For the most part, this is a sign of arthritis, arthrosis or circulatory failure.


Finger pain can seriously impair quality of life

Temporary lameness, taboos on dancing, jumping, running and fast walking are the consequences of impaired functionality of the first toe.

Evolving, the big toes became not as mobile as the fingers, “situated” parallel to the rest and began to “help” the foot play the role of support. Thanks to these changes, the load when walking began to be distributed evenly.

In fact, the pain in thumbs legs does not always mean illness.

Often, this is the body’s response to specific types of stress. It is caused by physiological factors:

  • Long walking/running;
  • Wearing the “wrong” shoes - narrow pointed toes, inappropriate size/fullness, high heels/wedges;
    Watch the video to learn how to choose the right shoes.
  • Prolonged stay “on your feet” (standing professions).

The above reasons can cause pain for a long time, and in the future - become a platform for various diseases.

Traumatic factors of pain in the phalanx of the big toe

Among the causes of pain in the joint of the big toe, injury is very common:

  • Bruises;
  • Dislocation and fracture of the phalanx;
  • Stab, cut wounds;
  • Nail injury;
  • Ligament sprain.


Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis

The symptoms of the injuries are similar to each other, so only a qualified doctor can make a correct diagnosis, based on an x-ray and examination data.

Arthrosis as a source of pain at the base of the big toe

In most women, less often men, arthrosis and subsequent deformation of the first finger can be caused by the following circumstances:

  • The specific structure of the foot (wide foot);
  • Trauma, often untreated;
  • Flat feet;
  • Overweight;
  • Wearing narrow shoes, high heels/wedges;


Arthrosis can severely deform the foot

Arthrosis often manifests itself in stages, in several stages:

  • Stage I Pain appears in the big toe when walking (prolonged), at the end of the working day. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by a crunching sensation in the joint. The patient may observe a slight protrusion of the bunion on the foot;
  • Stage II Painful sensations progress - noticeable after everyday exercise. Often during this period, people take anti-inflammatory medications (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs). The bunion defect worsens, becomes more noticeable, and the first finger deviates by outer side feet. Due to deformation, the shoe size increases. Cosmetic defect prevents the wearing of previously purchased boots;
  • Stage III Painkillers lose their effectiveness because... strong pain in the big toe becomes chronic. The tilt of the first toe on the outer side of the foot is aggravated, which entails deformation of the rest. At this stage, surgical intervention is recommended.

Pain in the joints of the big toe due to arthritis

Arthritis - inflammation in the joints - is accompanied by morning stiffness, a feeling that “the leg is numb.” Acute and/or chronic inflammation can develop due to:

  • Allergic reactions;
  • Autoimmune processes;
  • Penetration of pathogenic microorganisms with subsequent development of infectious arthritis.

Determining the cause of arthritis is an important part of its treatment.

The most common - rheumatoid arthritis - indicates problems in immune system, accompanied painful sensations in several small joints at the same time.


Arthritis is accompanied by pain

The doctor decides how to treat pain in the big toes. Often, for preventive purposes, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements are prescribed to avoid the development of osteoporosis.

Acute pain in the joint of the big toe - the “fault” of gout

A serious disease, gout develops as a result of a disorder in uric acid metabolism. Salts of uric acid, so-called urates, accumulate in the joints and initiate health problems. These crystalline deposits cause a gout-specific flare-up of arthritis.
Most susceptible this species pain in the foot on the big toe joint of a man aged 35-45 years. Gout affects women more often small joints hands
Gouty arthritis always manifests itself suddenly and sharply:

  • Acute pain;
  • Swelling;
  • Increased temperature up to fever;
  • Redness of the skin area;
  • Swelling (lumps can be felt under the skin - uric acid crystals);
  • General malaise.


In gout, uric acid salts accumulate in the joints

Treatment of pain in the joint of the big toe with gouty arthritis carried out in a hospital.

It is also extremely important, after confirming the diagnosis, to change your diet - exclude fish/meat/mushroom broths, meat of young animals, offal, smoked meats, canned food, salted and fried fish, cheeses, sauces, spices and legumes. There is also a taboo on coffee, alcohol, chocolate, strong tea, raspberries, grapes, figs and cream cakes. Consumption of all of the above products leads to an increase in the formation of uric acid salts.
It is important to understand that gout is an incurable disease. At the same time, changing your lifestyle and following a diet will help regulate the course of this disease.

Other possible causes of pain

If you have ruled out the reasons described above, but your joints still hurt thumbs legs, perhaps the explanation for this can be found below:

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pain in the big toe and appropriate treatment is carried out by a qualified doctor. Often used to make a diagnosis x-rays to clarify the degree of joint deformation and the specifics of cartilage damage.

Treatment

To straighten the position of the first toes, it is effective to use a bandage for the big toe.


A bandage is used to straighten the finger

When the first toe is displaced, bandages/valgus splints help distribute the load evenly, reduce painful bursitis and gently correct the function of the joint.
On early stages For the development of the disease, a course of physiotherapy or the use of compresses may be sufficient.

If the disease progresses, they connect drug therapy, and in the presence of severe deformity and partial loss of function, surgical intervention is recommended.

In any case, treatment will initially be aimed at eliminating the main “culprit” of pain.
An appropriately qualified doctor will confirm or refute your fears, because pain is a messenger dangerous diseases body.

Pain and its causes in alphabetical order:

pain in the joints of the toes

The joints of the toes are involved in walking and play the role of a “shock absorber”, softening the shocks transmitted to the body that occur when running, jumping, and stepping.

Pain in the joints of the toes occurs due to diseases of the joints. The most common of them are: rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, arthritis of the corresponding joint, injury or sprain of the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint of the fingers. There are others, but they are much rarer. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the diagnosis is made by doctors based on x-rays, determining changes in analyzes and sufficient characteristic symptoms these diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, is characterized by symmetrical joint damage (that is, the same joints on both arms and legs), most often the joints of the feet and ankle joints, with signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, limited mobility in them).

What diseases cause pain in the joints of the toes:

(+38 044) 206-20-00

If you have previously performed any research, Be sure to take their results to a doctor for consultation. If the studies have not been performed, we will do everything necessary in our clinic or with our colleagues in other clinics.

Do your toe joints hurt? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People don't pay enough attention symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific symptoms, characteristic external manifestations- so called symptoms of the disease. Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. To do this, you just need to do it several times a year. be examined by a doctor to not only prevent terrible disease, but also support healthy mind in the body and the organism as a whole.

If you want to ask a doctor a question, use the online consultation section, perhaps you will find answers to your questions there and read self care tips. If you are interested in reviews about clinics and doctors, try to find the information you need on. Also register on medical portal Eurolab to stay up to date latest news and information updates on the website, which will be automatically sent to you by email.

The symptom chart is for educational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; For all questions regarding the definition of the disease and methods of its treatment, consult your doctor. EUROLAB is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on the portal.

If you are interested in any other symptoms of diseases and types of pain, or you have any other questions or suggestions, write to us, we will definitely try to help you.