Your big toe oftentimes gets all the attention when it comes to painful foot conditions, as it’s commonly home to problems like bunions or ingrown toenails. That said, your other toes certainly aren’t immune to problems of their own, and that’s especially true for your second toe. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why you may be experiencing pain in your second toe while walking and how this discomfort can be treated.
Second Toe Pain
The discomfort you’re feeling in your second toe could be caused by a few different issues, but we’re going to take a look at two of the most common causes:
Capsulitis – Capsulitis of the second toe is the result of inflammation of the structures that surround the joint in the metatarsal. These tissues are housed where the toe meets the ball of the foot, and they form a capsule around the bone and help to provide structure and stability. Capsulitis can develop in any toe, but it tends to be most common in the second toe.
Capsulitis bears your attention because it is considered a progressive condition, meaning that unless active treatment is pursued, symptoms will only continue to get worse. Continuing to partake in the same activities without attention to the inflamed tissues in the toe can lead to chronic inflammation and worsening tissue damage. Oftentimes this inflammation is brought on by overuse of the area, but certain genetic conditions can also put you at risk of capsulitis, like having a second toe that is longer than the big toe or unnaturally low arches. Poor shoe choice can also increase your risk of capsulitis.
Morton’s Neuroma – We’ve talked about Morton’s neuroma on the blog in the past, and while it’s similar to capsulitis, it is its own condition with a different underlying issue. In patients with Morton’s neuroma, they are facing a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves in the toes, which can lead to pain, a burning sensation and numbness in the area. While it can occur on the second toe, it actually tends to be more common on a nerve corresponding to the third or fourth toe. Again, early intervention is advised, as this is when the condition is most likely to respond positively to treatment.
For either condition, treatment typically begins with common conservative techniques to change how pressure is dispersed on the foot. Rest and activity limitation are a good start, as is making sure that your foot is in a supportive shoe that contours to your foot and helps to disperse pressure evenly across the area. In other words, ditch the high heels or unsupportive flats. Other helpful treatments include:
- Heat
- Ice
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Toe Taping
Oftentimes symptoms can be managed effectively with the above techniques, but if pain persists, a minimally invasive operation or corticosteroid injections may help you find the relief you seek. As always, it’s a good idea to connect with a foot and ankle specialist to figure out exactly what you’re dealing with and to create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
For more information, or for help treating a problem in another area of your foot or ankle, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
