My stupid toes

[Deleted]

Last year my doctor diagnosed me with osteoarthritis in the knuckle of my big toes, the knuckle that attaches the toe to the foot. It made sense because I suffered foot pain. Then it was a generalised thing. Lately I have had a burning sensation on the top of the big toe between the first and second knuckles. Has anyone felt this before and can you tell me what the heck it is. For some reason I keep thinking the toe is broken but I have never had a broken bone and don't know of anything I would have done to break them.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

It sounds like nerve pain. Maybe the inflammation from the arthritis is infringing on a nerve.

I have patches of this on my legs that run from my mid thigh to my toes. But mine is caused by repeated trauma to the nerves from my hip surgeries.

[greeniis10]

Does anything help alleviate it?  Ice, heat, rest, elevation, etc.?  I'm no expert but sometimes finding out what, if anything, helps with the pain can be an important puzzle peice.  (Weird wording on that sentence, but it's Friday and I'm too lazy to re-think it.)

[Deleted]

It's not gout, is it?

[tloonya]

You do not have to believe me but very ripe papaya...

[Deleted]

I don't know what gout is, I don't know what makes it kick up other than it being more pronounced if I have pressure on the toe, and what about ripe papaya?

[Deleted]

Jun 6, 2014 14:01:19 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I don't know what gout is, I don't know what makes it kick up other than it being more pronounced if I have pressure on the toe, and what about ripe papaya?

DH has a friend who has gout and he said it makes his big toe/toes hurt. He said that a good diet keeps the attacks from happening.

 I'm on the run or I would research it for you.

[Deleted]

Gout is a build-up of uric acid in the blood, if I remember correctly. It forms sharp crystals and produces a stabbing pain.

I thought I had it when I broke my toe. A broken toe should have some sign of trauma like bruising. You also need to have done something to break it. In my case, I dropped something frozen on it. The doctor said they have a nickname for it--pot roast toe. Someone opens the freezer and something large falls out.

Have you tried a site like WebMD or Medline? I use it all the time to self-diagnose incorrectly.

[toomuchreality]

My mom had foot/toe pain. Went to the doctor an was told it was caused by wearing shoes that were too small over the years. Went so far as to have surgery, but still had the pain. When she described it to me, I thought it sounded like something I've felt before (much like a broken toe, but not exactly.) When I get this, it's because my toe needs to 'pop'. I popped my mom's toe, and it fixed hers too.
It hurts like crazy to do it, but it feels so much better after! Do it quick, is my suggestion, if you try it.

Good luck!

[Blonde Granny]

later, if you are diabetic, it could be peripheral neuropathy.  That is how it started for my DH, just simple pain in his toes.

[Deleted]

I'm not diabetic that I know of. I will get the doc to check it. toomuchreality what do you mean "pop" my toes?

[toomuchreality]

Jun 6, 2014 20:58:36 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I'm not diabetic that I know of. I will get the doc to check it. toomuchreality what do you mean "pop" my toes?

Like when people pop the knuckles on their hands. (I press down on the toe, between the knuckle that hooks to the foot and the middle knuckle, with my thumb.)
Does that make sense?

I'd hate for you to do something I suggested, and have things get worse! Yikes!
BE CAREFUL!

[Deleted]

Jun 6, 2014 22:54:48 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Jun 6, 2014 20:58:36 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I'm not diabetic that I know of. I will get the doc to check it. toomuchreality what do you mean "pop" my toes?

Like when people pop the knuckles on their hands. (I press down on the toe, between the knuckle that hooks to the foot and the middle knuckle, with my thumb.)
Does that make sense?

I'd hate for you to do something I suggested, and have things get worse! Yikes!
BE CAREFUL!

I do crack them at times and it does relieve some discomfort but just by stretching them. I'll see about this.

[tloonya]

Jun 6, 2014 14:01:19 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I don't know what gout is, I don't know what makes it kick up other than it being more pronounced if I have pressure on the toe, and what about ripe papaya?

You might laugh...but then just get the papaya and basically stick your toes in it. Find a way to wrap it around your toe with plastic or foil.
Maybe sleep in socks where papaya is...
Rinse and repeat a few times but you should feel better very soon.
Google papaya inflammation - you know...

[achelois]

Warm paraffin is great for aches. Just came from getting pedicure.  They did not use papaya. 

[stillmovingforward]

Toddle your toes off to a podiatrist. I had a similar problem a few years ago. I had broken my feet when I was much younger, the doctor told me it was arthritis. A few years ago, I ended up at a podiatrist due to a seriously ingrown toenail. While examining my other foot, she noted the 'arthritic' toe and pointed out that custom made orthotics would ease the joint pain. And that it wasn't arthritis but a joint deformity (which is hereditary). I got the orthotics and within 1 month never had pain again. Unless I get lazy and don't wear them............. my legs aren't as tired now either and I can hike twice as far in a day.

[tloonya]

Jun 7, 2014 13:39:22 GMT -5 achelois said:

Warm paraffin is great for aches. Just came from getting pedicure.  They did not use papaya. 

Actually great idea!
Cut papaya lengthwise and use it like shoes...

[Deleted]

I have to say that I HATE WebMd. No matter what I look up I am dying of 90 serious diseases!

I get that burning sensation on top of my big toe and on top of foot sometimes. Look at what the stupid site says: surely you die today!

• diabetes
• chronic kidney disease
• vitamin deficiency
• alcohol abuse
• hypothyroidism
• Lyme
• HIV/Aids
• amyloid polyneuropathy
• drug side effect
• heavy metal poisoning
• vasculitis
• scarcoidosis
• guillain-barre syndrome
• arterial disease
• edema
• hypertension

I feel like I step into an episode of House when my search sends me to WebID! 

[Deleted]

Now I look at FootVitals and their list makes sense to me for foot problem and I don't think I am suffering immediate death by foot!

• Bone spurs
  Stress fractures
  Nerve entrapment
  Metatarsalgia
  Tendonitis
  Improper footwear
  Sprain or strain
  Ganglion cyst
  Medication
  Aging
  Hormonal imbalance
  Pregnancy
  Excessive use of feet
  Ingrown toenail
  Hammertoe
  

[Deleted]

I had a stress fracture in my foot a few years ago. After that healed, I started getting terrible toe pain. It felt like someone was stabbing an ice pick through my toes. I went to a podiatrist and she said it was arthritis. Custom made orthotics helped tremendously.

Also - my very favorite - is Dansko shoes. They have a wide toe base and you don't have to bend your toes when you walk. (You don't need orthotics with them.) They cost an arm and a leg, but I have been wearing mine every day for years. They don't wear out.

Good luck! Buy Danskos!