Imagine a scenario- This morning you decided to spend some quality time with your little ones. You all got ready, put the picnic basket in the car and drove to their favourite park. You spend all the morning hours walking, running and having fun with your children. You came back, retired on the couch and decided to watch a game on TV.  However, even an interesting match can’t keep you glued to the TV because you notice a stabbing discomfort on the right toe.

 

This type of toe pain is linked to either ill-fitted shoes or physically strenuous activities. A painful toe after a Sunday picnic is pretty common. Like almost every other adult, you are dealing with a classic case of foot pain, for which most of us take help from Google.

Stop searching for your symptoms on Google. Home remedies cannot work for everyone, rather you should seek help from a toe doctor.

 

If you ever experience toe pain, the solution is simple. Rest for a while and you are good to go on your next Sunday excursion. However, if the pain is severe, persists or is not caused due to sports injury, it is important not to browse home remedies on Google and see an actual toe doctor.

 

Most people don’t even consider a toe doctor an option. They either go to a physician or simply wait for the pain to go on its own.

 

If you ever need expert medical care for your toes, you must schedule an appointment with a foot doctor. These doctors are also known as a podiatrist and they specialise in pain and complexities of the lower limbs. A podiatrist provides treatment for a variety of foot conditions and toe pain is one of them.

 

Signs you need to see a toe doctor

Soreness around the toes or the bottom of the feet is very common. If nothing is serious, the pain subsides with rest. However, personalised sore feet treatment becomes crucial if you notice any of the following symptoms.

 

Pain does not subside and you feel discomfort for five consecutive days.Pain comes and goes and becomes severe and lasts for weeksToes get red or swollen, or there are signs of wounds around themToe pain is affecting your mobility and quality of lifeToe pain with underlying conditions like diabetes

 

What are the possible causes of toe pain?

Every day, our feet go through a lot. Therefore, pain, discomfort or swelling are common conditions. The most common reasons that you might observe toe pain are listed below.

Ingrown toenailsBunionsCuts and injuriesCornsIll-fitted footwearArthritisDiabetes

 

Carefully observe your toe or try to think about the activities you did today or yesterday. You will be able to guess the underlying problem. Moreover, certain conditions like arthritis and diabetes result in persistent toe pain, for which timely medical care is highly recommended.

 

Why is it important to see a toe doctor?

Mild sports injuries can be treated with simple at-home remedies like rest, ice packs and over the counter pain medications. However, persistent pain is a sign of peripheral disease.

 

In simple words, peripheral arteries are responsible for circulating blood in the legs and feet; when the flow is disturbed, you start to notice pain.

 

It is definitely not to be ignored because when left untreated peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause infections. Infection in the feet and legs is very dangerous for those who are dealing with underlying conditions like diabetes.

 

Stop ignoring toe pain and go see a doctor right now because diabetic foot conditions are very serious, and without timely intervention, the risk of amputation and untimely death increases.

 

What types of treatments are provided for toe pain?

A podiatrist conducts a thorough biomechanical and physical assessment to investigate the underlying reason for the discomfort. Based on the diagnosis, your foot doctor will suggest a suitable treatment.

Don’t get stressed because surgery is not the only treatment suggestion given by a toe doctor - there are various non-invasive methods to get rid of the discomfort.

  

Physical therapy: A podiatrist recommends muscle strengthening and stretching exercises for the treatment of bunions, hammertoes or any other referred deformity. However, physical therapy is not a completetreatment for such conditions, so the foot doctor will also suggest footwear modification or necessary padding to ease the discomfort.

 

Custom orthotics: Often toe pain is linked with foot deformity. Therefore, the best suited solution is orthotic shoes. Resist the urge to get yourself off-the-shelf solutions for toe pain. Only a foot doctor can assess your condition to correctly advise if you need to change your footwear or if accommodating orthotic insoles in your current footwear will do the trick.

Ingrown toenail surgery: A common cause of toe pain is an ingrown toenail. Podiatrists are specialists in removing the inward growth of toenails with a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

 

Diabetic footwear: Poor circulation of blood in the legs is common in diabetics. Although it cannot be treated, the level of discomfort can be managed with proper care. See a doctor and get your feet checked to find out the type of footwear that works best for you. A podiatrist will recommend a spacious, comfortable, lightweight and shock absorbing footwear style to accommodate your swollen and painful diabetic feet.

  

Conclusion

Toe pain is common in adults; however, you must resist the urge to search for a solution on the internet. Be mindful and schedule an appointment with a toe doctor. Visit Suncoast Podiatry to get personalised treatment from the best podiatrist on the Sunshine Coast.