What Does it Mean When Your Big Toe Goes Numb?

Your feet can take a beating on a daily basis. Simply walking around every day puts stress on the feet and toes and increases the potential for injury. It is extremely important to pay attention to foot health. Healthy feet compliment a healthy body. If you have pain in your big toe, you should learn what it might be and what you should do.

Compressed Nerve

• Pain in the big toe can be the result of a compressed nerve. This may be caused by a shoe hitting the area over a long period of time. A doctor can prescribe corrective action, which sometimes involves surgery.

Extra Bone

• Sometimes an inflamed extra bone on the underside of a big toe can cause pain. Arthritis may set in or bone fragment may be hitting a nerve in the toe.

Gout

• Gout can also cause severe big toe pain. A uric acid test will reveal if gout is present and if it is the culprit.

Diabetes

• Diabetics must be vigilant about foot care. Big toe pain is a frequent problem for diabetics and must be addressed immediately to prevent further complications.

Bunions

• Bunions frequently appear at the base of the big toe and can cause extreme pain. A very noticeable bump will be present.

Turf Toe

• Turf toe can afflict athletes. Running, jumping and kicking can cause the big toe to bend upward and put strain on the joint. A stress sprain may result and cause big toe pain.