Big toe mystery

[JacquiDaytona]

Weird one - but any ideas before I head to the GP and feel like I’m wasting time would be much appreciated!
For the last year the big toe on my left foot has become stiff. It’s sometimes a bit swollen around the joint and it’s at the point now I can’t stand on my toes. It just doesn’t seem to bend. I haven’t injured it that I’m aware of.
I run, and have done for years - very low mileage atm, 25k a week at most, and lots of yoga and strength to balance it out. It’s really sore.
Now, the other one seems to be going the same way! I have autoimmune issues which have recently led to alopecia universalis and I’m currently on immunosuppressive drugs, but the toe issues started way before this.
Could it be arthritis? I’m pretty scared of that. I’m 36.

Yes it could well be arthritis either related to your running or an autoimmune arthritis.
You need to see your GP for an xray and some blood tests.

Doesn't gout present like that?

I’ve had blood tests for almost everything imaginable at the moment due to the complete hair loss and nothing identified except low iron (which is in on its way up!)

Pre pregnancy I ran marathons and have never got back to getting past 10k so I just can’t see it being an injury - could be wrong!

Oh god! Is that something I’m likely to have at 36 and reasonably fit and healthy? It’s not for Henry VIII types eating lots of big chicken legs?!
l’ll have a Google - thank you!

I was going to say gout too. Both my Dad and my FIL have had it; weirdly, my boss too, and he's only early 30's.

DP gets gout - it's absolute agony. So the fact that you are able to run at all may suggest it's not gout - especially as you've had symptoms for a long time.

I have an inflammatory autoimmune condition and got diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (at about 30) that the rheumatologist said was sort of referred inflammation. I can't remember the term he used, but that was basically the idea.

Yes I’ve just had a look at gout symptoms - pretty sure it’s not that! It’s not ‘painful’ as such, just won’t bend and feels a bit sore. It’s got better and worse over the last year but now seems to be consistently worse even with lots and lots of foot stretches and strengthening exercises.

I do have a rheumatologist referral underway as no one can seem to explain what the hell has happened ti my body so maybe this is another for the list.

Bunions starting.

just googled this - quite possibly! I think I would prefer this to arthritis?

Hallux rigidus.

Really, you need to see a foot and ankle surgeon, but you'll probably get passed through the msk physio pathways first.

Treatment is either orthotics, injections, joint replacement ir fusion, have a look at the bofas website section on 'big toe arthritis'.

Very common in runners and footballers. 25km per week isnt low mileage btw, it probably puts you in the top 0.5% of running distances in the uk given that 2/3 of the adult population run 0km per week!

Hallux limitus for sure. Look after it and you might be able to stop its progression. See a podiatrist. I do mobility exercises for mine with a little ball.

@FixTheBone @garlictwist This seems very likely! Thank you.
@FixTheBone - I see what you mean, but in comparison to my old schedule and my running peers, I am very much at the low end 😂but I probably shouldn’t underestimate what I put my body through in my younger years!

I have this, Hallux rigidus

Did you get any further forward?

Hallux Rigidus. I've had it for years. I have autoimmune conditions too and on immunosuppressants but this is osteoarthritis (wear and tear).

@CheekySwan I saw a rheumatologist for various joint pain and she agreed it was swollen and limited movement but did t give me any further diagnosis

@Notaboutthebass Has yours got steadily worse?

@JacquiDaytona yes! I have injections in it a couple of times a year and they help but only for about 3 months.