5 Causes of Big Toe Joint Pain in Runners

If you’re a runner and you have pain in the big toe joint, you have to figure it out what causes the problem. This video by Dr. Christopher Segler explains the 5 causes of big toe joint pain in runners.

[@patrickokeeffe4787]

I not sure if I have either. I'm a novice runner of 60 years old and who had a heart bypass a few years ago. I was also very obese and never exercised in my life until after the surgery. I did a relay marathon (5 miles) yesterday which is a miracle for me, but ended up with big toe pain on my right leg. It's on top of the toe and its concentrated where the big toe joins to the foot and seems to be around that joint area. From the centre of the big toe down to the tip, there is no pain. I've done the odd 5 mile run while training for this, but on the marathon run there was a lot of hills that I wouldn't have been used to. There is no pain underneath the foot and I can walk or even as a test, I can gently light jog a few yards today without pain. But to touch it it is rather sore. I say there was way more activation of the big toes on hills and also the repetitiveness of this probably inflamed the joint or the soft tissue surrounding it. Any advice would be welcome.

[@DocOnTheRun]

Hey Patrick, congrats to you on finishing the relay, and for making such a tremendous change in lifestyle after bypass surgery... truly incredible! I can't offer advice on your condition without understanding your medical history, current condition and then making a diagnosis. However we can certainly jump on a call and discuss it. If that would help you get on track faster, you can pick a time that works for you and block my calendar for a private call here: www.docontherun.com/talk-to-the-expert/

[@jakefyock3124]

My big toe hurts on top specifically at the bottom of the toenail on the left toe only. Do you think my shoes might be tied too tight?

[@joecater894]

I run tread normally.. about 1hr/day. Tread broke so I went outside where there's hills and hard ground and probably with running shoes past their best.. I wasn't doing a fast run.. But suddenly on a brief uphill section at slow speed there was this pain that felt like a sprain through the area around the large big toe join.. which i ignored for a bit. It left me with pain that stopped me running and forced me onto a spin bike instead. It can feel better.. but if I walk distance it comes back with vengeance.. its weight bearing&bending the toe at same time that causes the situation to deteriorate quite badly.. my med background is I'm fit and not older in age, but I am not a very young person either.. also no problems that I know of. From your descriptions I'm thinking either turf toe or some injury to small bones.. although my money would be on turf toe because pain isn't localised under the toe ; more on top and focused on joints. There was a sudden onset.

[@DocOnTheRun]

Hey Joe, Thank you for watching and for adding your comments so others can learn from you. Sorry to hear about the trouble. Sounds very frustrating!

[@Theanakkcfjjkd48]

my big toe hurts in the side and i did a cross country a few days ago... if u press on it it doesn’t hurt but if u walk on the genially it hurts a lot

[@DocOnTheRun]

I am sorry you are having the pain, but that is interesting. The location of the pain may point yo to a more specific problem.

[@Unknown-lj7kq]

I think the first one you said is the one I have, I play football on turf(artificial graph) and it hurts to touch

[@DocOnTheRun]

Glad you found the video helpful. I hope it gets better fast.

[@andydufrin2426]

Iv pain on the side of big toe i gues because i hold a lot position on middle split.....should i stop running?

[@adriand7569]

I'm pretty sure I have Hallux limitus/rigidus in my big toes and I'd like to really get up to speed with some good exercises/manipulation so that my trail running isnt any more compromised than it already is. Can you help by providing any links to good sources of info on this ?

[@DocOnTheRun]

Hey Adrian, we have lost more over on the Doc On The Run Podast... www.docontherun.com/doc-on-the-run-podcast/

[@ankurwsharma]

I m suffering from pain in my big toe joint. Whenever i buy shoes after few days it starts paining. can u suggest reason for this

[@1bunnyy514]

i run cross country and when i put pressure on the ball of my foot it hurts my big toe joint. i have full mobility in my big toe but still makes it so i can get on my toes when i run in my right foot

[@DocOnTheRun]

Could be a bruise, but based on what you describe you may want too check out some of the videos on sesamoiditis to see if that may be an issue as well.

[@pearlbeautyandhealth7729]

My big toe hurts when bent downwards (towards the sole). I can’t walk or climb stairs coz of that. There is no visible swelling or redness. Is that something familiar to you?

[@DocOnTheRun]

Hello Pearl, Sorry you having trouble. Foot pain and its causes are very familiar to me, but can't comment with know more detail. You may find more info in other videos, but the faster way to a full explanation would be to schedule a call to figure out the true cause, and what to do. www.docontherun.com/talk-to-the-expert/

[@kavinparkar885]

My big toe hurts from upper side when I try to move it up

[@DocOnTheRun]

Hello Kavin, Thanks for your comments and certainly sounds like the hallmark of Hallux Limitus. You may want to check this out and see of any of these exercises are contributing to the trouble... kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSnmKKur6qWraM

[@kavinparkar885]

@@DocOnTheRun thanks man😊