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Suggest Treatment For Tender And Painful Big Toe

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Posted on Mon, 3 Aug 2015
Question: My big toe on my left foot is very tender and painful. It is tender to the touch on the front of the toe and on the nail closer to the front of the toe. I know it is not an ingrown toenail. I have not hit the toe very hard recently, but I think my Croc shoes may have pulled the toe nail back as I have been wearing them a lot lately. My joint does not hurt just the front of the big toe and a small part of the nail closer to the front of the toe.
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Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Ligament sprain, arthritis, nail bed trauma

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

I have studied your case in great detail and have come to some conclusions.

The pain that you are experiencing is possibly a chronic injury to the nail bed and surrounding tissues. I can also suspect possible chronic ligament sprain or toe joint arthritis.

In your case, it hurts in the front of the toe about the region of the nail. If there is increased warmth, redness and swelling it could also be due to infection or arthritis.

I would like to suggest a few tips for you to find relief -

(1) Firstly apply ice over the painful area. This helps to settle the pain and inflammation.

(2) Keep the limb elevated, as this helps to drain the swelling away.

(3) Continue taking Advil twice a day as this will help to subside the pain and inflammation.

(4) Once the pain and swelling subsides, kindly inspect your nail and cut all around the visible edges to prevent the damage of the inner nail bed and surrounding tissue from getting damaged by the nail's ends.

(5) If you find any sores, apply antibiotic ointment like Fucidin (Fusidic acid) twice a day.

(6) Avoid sweat accumulation and wearing old socks.

(7) Avoid/limit weight bearing on that foot.

(8) Avoid wearing tight socks or shoes.

These remedies are very helpful to help you through this. You should find good relief in 2-5 days. If not I suggest you consult your Orthopaedic surgeon to rule out ligament injuries, arthritis and unnoticed fractures.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Tender And Painful Big Toe

Brief Answer: Ligament sprain, arthritis, nail bed trauma Detailed Answer: Hi there. Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for the query. I have studied your case in great detail and have come to some conclusions. The pain that you are experiencing is possibly a chronic injury to the nail bed and surrounding tissues. I can also suspect possible chronic ligament sprain or toe joint arthritis. In your case, it hurts in the front of the toe about the region of the nail. If there is increased warmth, redness and swelling it could also be due to infection or arthritis. I would like to suggest a few tips for you to find relief - (1) Firstly apply ice over the painful area. This helps to settle the pain and inflammation. (2) Keep the limb elevated, as this helps to drain the swelling away. (3) Continue taking Advil twice a day as this will help to subside the pain and inflammation. (4) Once the pain and swelling subsides, kindly inspect your nail and cut all around the visible edges to prevent the damage of the inner nail bed and surrounding tissue from getting damaged by the nail's ends. (5) If you find any sores, apply antibiotic ointment like Fucidin (Fusidic acid) twice a day. (6) Avoid sweat accumulation and wearing old socks. (7) Avoid/limit weight bearing on that foot. (8) Avoid wearing tight socks or shoes. These remedies are very helpful to help you through this. You should find good relief in 2-5 days. If not I suggest you consult your Orthopaedic surgeon to rule out ligament injuries, arthritis and unnoticed fractures. Wishing you a speedy recovery. I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. Thanking you. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu