A Morton's toe otherwise called Morton's foot or Greek foot or Royal toe is characterized by a longer second toe. This is because the first metatarsal, behind the big toe, is short compared to the second metatarsal, next to it.
Morton's Toe is a genetic condition in which the second metatarsal is longer than the first, making the second toe a bit longer than the big toe. It occurs in about 10 to 20 percent of the population. Morton's toe is also called “Greek foot” or “Royal Toe.” How apropos for the newest member of the Royal family!
Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes. People with peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling.
Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals — the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes. Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed.
Bunions, gout, blisters, corns, and strainsConditions that can plague the toes and feet can also cause second toe pain. These don't always affect the second toe, but have the potential to do so.
Gout can be extremely painful and incapacitating, but is extremely treatable in almost all patients. It is most common in the big toe, and is also common in the midfoot, ankle, and knee. (See below for more details about how gout involves these and other joints.)
Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain). The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms.
Capsulitis is an overuse injury that affects the ligaments around the joint where a metatarsal meets a toe in the ball of the foot. The connective tissues here form a capsule around the bone ends, holding them together.
In most cases, symptoms get better within 3 to 6 months of beginning treatment. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes. The pain is sharp and stabbing, often feeling worse in the morning or when beginning exercise.
Gout. Sharp, sudden pain in the big toe joint that strikes when you least expect it—sometimes even in the middle of the night—is one of the hallmark symptoms of gout. Often the pain and hypersensitivity can be so intense that even putting a sheet on top of your toe can hurt.
Ingrown toenailIngrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect your big toe. Often you can take care of ingrown toenails on your own.
Morton's neuroma (Intermetatarsal Neuroma) is a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve that leads from the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toes. The condition results from compression and irritation of the nerve and, left untreated, leads to permanent nerve damage.
Sesamoiditis is pain at the sesamoid bones beneath the head of the 1st metatarsal, with or without inflammation or fracture. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Treatment is usually modification of footwear and orthotics.
Symptoms of GoutAcute gout attacks are characterized by a rapid onset of pain in the affected joint followed by warmth, swelling, reddish discoloration, and marked tenderness. The small joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site for an attack.
See your podiatrist if the pain persistsYou may have a condition such as bone spurs or plantar fasciitis. Bone spurs are a form of outgrowth, and plantar fasciitis is the result of damage or tearing in ligaments of the heel. Fallen arches can also contribute to your foot pain.
Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.
This helps reduce swelling. - One of the most effective ways to soothe tired and aching feet is to first dip your feet in a bucket of hot water for 15 minutes and then immediately put them in a bucket of cold water for 15 minutes. Repeat it a couple of times.
Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. You may also hear the bone break at the time of injury. A broken bone, also called a fracture, may also cause swelling at the break. If you've broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color.
It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week. If something was dropped on the toe, the area under the toenail can bruise. This will go away in time with nail growth.
Stubbing a toe can even cause breaks, sprains, broken nails, and infections. The pain of a stubbed toe usually subsides after a few minutes. In some cases, however, the impact could break the toe or the toenail, causing intense pain that may get worse over hours or days.
If your toe is infected, you'll probably have one or more of these symptoms:
- pain.
- pressure.
- redness or change in skin color.
- swelling.
- oozing.
- a bad smell.
- feeling hot to the touch.
- a visible break in the skin.
What are the symptoms of a sprained toe?
- pain, often in the entire toe or even the area around it.
- tenderness.
- swelling.
- bruising.
- trouble moving your toe.
- joint instability.
Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis often include:
- Tenderness when you touch the joint.
- Pain when you move it.
- Trouble moving, walking, or putting weight on it.
- Joint stiffness, warmth, or swelling.
- More pain and swelling after you rest, such as sitting or sleeping.
Morton's neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock. Morton's neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot.
Seek immediate medical attention if you:Have severe pain or swelling. Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C) Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot.
The most common cause of itchy feet is athlete's foot. This is a fungal infection called tinea pedis. It may appear as a scaling red rash at the bottom of the feet and/or painful cracks in the skin between the toes. Contact dermatitis is another common cause of itchy feet.
Foot stiffness after sitting and in the morning is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick ligament on the bottom of your foot, running from the heel to the ball. This condition occurs when that ligament becomes irritated. Plantar fasciitis is common for athletes, specifically runners.
A swollen toe can occur for many different reasons, including injuries, infections, and conditions such as arthritis. Some causes of a swollen toe require a visit to the doctor. In general, people should see a doctor if the swelling persists or is accompanied by pain or other worrying symptoms.
Trying more than one of these recommendations may help ease your foot pain faster than just doing one at a time.
- Draw a foot bath.
- Do some stretches.
- Practice strengthening exercises.
- Get a foot massage.
- Buy arch supports.
- Switch your shoes.
- Ice your feet.
- Take a pain reliever.
