Toe Pain
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Pain in my toe
Pain in the toes
I have pain in my little toes on both feet
I have a pain in my right big toe
My big toe hurts
I have pain in my left toe
I feel pain in my left toe joint
Both toes hurt
I feel pain in my right toe joint
Red and swollen little toes
I have pain in my big toes
My left big toe hurts
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Toe Pain quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I can't bend my toes because of both pains
- I can't bend my toes because of right pain
- I can't bend my toes because of left pain
- I feel pain in the joints of my toes
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
It describes any painful sensation in the toes. It can be be pressing, sharp, burning or dull.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Back pain
- Low back pain
- Swelling of the affected area
- Numbness of lower limbs
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
Possible Causes
Generally, Toe pain can be related to:
- Ingrown Toenail
A condition where the corner of a toenail curves and grows into the skin, causing pain and swelling. Risk factors include obesity, small-sized shoes, and cutting the nails incorrectly.
- Gout / Pseudogout
Gout and pseudogout are diseases caused by inflammation and crystal accumulation in the joints. Gout results from uric acid crystals, while pseudogout stems from calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Both are marked by sudden, painful swelling in one or more joints. Gout attacks can be triggered by eating purine-rich foods like seafood, alcohol, and red meat, while pseudogout may be due to joint injury, surgery, or immune issues.
- Fabry Disease / Lysosomal Storage Disorder
Fabry Disease is a rare genetic condition caused by a problem with the GLA gene, which leads to a lack of an important enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A. This causes fatty substances to build up in the body, affecting the skin, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms can include burning pain in the hands and feet, small dark red spots on the skin, and trouble sweating. If not treated, it can lead to serious problems like kidney failure, heart disease, and strokes.
- Morton's Neuroma
- Subungual Exostosis
- Toxic Erythema of Chemotherapy
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Hallux Valgus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Neuropathic Pain
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing toe pain?
- When did you first notice the toe pain?
- On a scale from 1 to 10, how severe was your toe pain at its worst?
- How often do you experience toe pain?
- Which of the following best describes how your toe pain appeared?
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Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
Q.
If the Fingertips of the Feet or Hands Are Purple and Circulation Is Poor, What Illnesses Could Be Considered?
A.
If the fingertips of the hands or feet appear purple and circulation seems poor, several illnesses could be considered. The most common conditions include Raynaud's phenomenon, acrocyanosis, and other vascular or systemic disorders. Understanding these potential causes is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
Ahrazoglu M, Moinzadeh P, Hunzelmann N. Differenzialdiagnosen des Raynaud-Syndroms [Differential diagnoses of Raynaud's phenomenon]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2014 May;139(20):1064-9. German. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1370036. Epub 2014 May 6. PMID: 24801303.
Das S, Maiti A. Acrocyanosis: an overview. Indian J Dermatol. 2013 Nov;58(6):417-20. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.119946. PMID: 24249890; PMCID: PMC3827510.
Linnemann B, Erbe M. Raynauds phenomenon - assessment and differential diagnoses. Vasa. 2015 May;44(3):166-77. doi: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000426. PMID: 26098320.
Q.
What Are the Possible Causes of Toe Pain
A.
Toe pain can arise from various causes, including injuries, structural issues, infections, and underlying medical conditions.
References:
Andrews NA, Ray J, Dib A, Harrelson WM, Khurana A, Singh MS, Shah A. Diagnosis and conservative management of great toe pathologies: a review. Postgrad Med. 2021 May;133(4):409-420. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2021.1895587. Epub 2021 Apr 4. PMID: 33622169.
Ray J, Andrews NA, Dib A, Harrelson WM, Khurana A, Singh MS, Shah A. Management of acute lesser toe pain. Postgrad Med. 2021 Apr;133(3):320-329. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2021.1873581. Epub 2021 Jan 18. PMID: 33406375.
Becker BA, Childress MA. Common Foot Problems: Over-the-Counter Treatments and Home Care. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Sep 1;98(5):298-303. PMID: 30216025.
Cooper MT. Common Painful Foot and Ankle Conditions: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Dec 19;330(23):2285-2294. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.23906. PMID: 38112812.
Find Similar Symptoms
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References
Drago, Sebastián MD; Nazaroff, Hannah MD; Britton, Joshua MD; Veljkovic, Andrea MD, MPH, BComm, FAOA. Assessment and Management of Atraumatic First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 31(14):p 708-716, July 15, 2023. | DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-22-00821
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1