Extreme toe pain

[thismotherhoodthing]

I've had terrible pain in one of my toes since I completed a marathon 6 years ago. It's not constant but it hurts a lot in most footwear other than a few pairs of open toe sandals. Obviously not an option in the north of England in November! It's affected the way I'm walking as it hurts so much I tend to walk on the insides of my feet (it's the fourth toe on my right foot) and I can tell it's now affecting me in other ways with my alignment etc

I've mentioned it to GPs numerous times over the years and been told they won't do anything as it's not my big toe but that it might just be "a bit arthritic" . I paid to see a podiatrist who said he couldn't really help. I'm not sure what to do now - I'm only 32 do I just accept a lifetime of this?

Is getting a private opinion an option?

If you've had foot pain for 6 years not getting better, and affecting how you walk, and your GP doesn't know what the problem is, then you need referring to a hospital.

Most places will be via an MSK service, and then likely to a Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

DOI: Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

If you're ok in sandals where your toes can splay unrestricted, have you considered shoes with an anatomical toebox? Most mainstream shoes hold feet in an unnatural position, which impairs foot function.

Not at the moment as I'm on maternity leave but possibly one day

No I didn't actually know this was a thing!

Thanks. I've asked so many times and just told they don't do anything unless it's the big toe.

You have to be more persistent. Ask for an x-ray or referral and keep going with it.

You could try a private physio in the meantime.

Go back and be persistent, at the least you should be sent for an x-ray to determine if it's arthritic changes or something else. Arthritic changes can be managed with steroid injections (I'm currently awaiting x-ray results for a suspected Morton's Neuroma).

I had pain and swelling in my second toe and it was diagnosed as damage to the plantar plate ligament. I've just had surgery to fix it. Worth googling to see if your symptoms sound familiar??

That's weird! So your little toe could be hanging off and they won't care?

I think it’s true they don’t do much with fractures of non-big toes, but this is obviously different after 6 years. I second the wide toe box shoes - you might find Birkenstock or Keen shoes or boots that work and I’m sure there are other options too - but also it does need investigating. Could you try a different GP?

I would (on a day when I’m in a lot of pain) go to a/e and say it’s been painful since run but now much worse as you tripped over the whatever/ stubbed it going up stairs.

It sounds like gout.

I went to a podiatrist recently as had similar pain after increasing my exercise and was diagnosed with sesamoiditis. My feet roll in when I walk and that puts pressure on the balls of my feet/big toes which then got inflamed on one foot. I got some insoles made which have taken so much pressure off my toe. Also exercises to strengthen/correct my gait.
It sounds like your pain is a lot worse than mine but podiatrist told me my condition can get very painful if untreated. Might be worth considering especially as it’s an injury after a lot of exercise/overuse. I use 10% ibuprofen gel on it twice a day and put foot on frozen water bottle (wrapped in tea towel) on an evening.

@Wishiwasalittlebitsmaller thanks. Just googled sesamoiditis and I don't think it is that as it's not in the balls of my feet but that sounds painful! Sorry you're experiencing that.

@honiedparsnip apparently so! They just said it's probably "a bit arthritic". Frustrating

I'm going to call them again this week that's everyone for suggestions.