Toe Pain Treatment in Houston, TX
Your toes help you balance and push off with every step, so even a small problem can make walking painful. Toe pain can come from joint deformities, nail problems, nerve irritation, arthritis, or injury. Dr. Ken Dennis diagnoses the cause of your toe pain and offers treatment options ranging from simple padding to in-office procedures and surgery.
Common Causes of Toe Pain
- Ingrown toenails
- Bunions and tailor’s bunions
- Hammertoes, mallet toes, and claw toes
- Corns and calluses
- Gout
- Hallux rigidus (big toe arthritis)
- Turf toe and sprains
- Broken or stubbed toes
- Morton’s neuroma, which causes pain and numbness between the toes
- Toenail fungus and thickened nails
Symptoms to Watch For
- Pain, redness, or swelling in a toe joint
- Stiffness or limited toe motion
- A bent or crooked toe
- Painful skin thickening
- Pain around the nail or drainage
- Burning, tingling, or numbness
Diagnosing Toe Pain
Dr. Dennis examines your toes, footwear, and walking pattern and takes in-office X-rays to look for fractures, arthritis, and deformities. Getting the right diagnosis is essential, since different causes need very different treatments.
Toe Pain Treatment Options
- Footwear changes with a wider, deeper toe box
- Padding, toe spacers, splints, and buddy taping
- Professional nail and callus care
- Anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone injections
- Custom foot orthotics
- In-office procedures for ingrown nails and corns
- Surgical correction for painful deformities or arthritis
Get Relief for Toe Pain
Explore other conditions we treat, including top of foot pain, or call Kenrick J. Dennis, DPM at (713) 465-8833.
Toe Pain FAQs
Why does my big toe joint hurt?
Big toe joint pain is often caused by bunions, gout, arthritis (hallux rigidus), or turf toe. An exam and X-ray can identify the cause.
How do I know if my toe is broken?
A broken toe usually causes pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. An X-ray confirms whether the bone is fractured or displaced.
Can tight shoes cause toe pain?
Yes. Tight or narrow shoes can cause corns, ingrown nails, nerve irritation, and worsen bunions and hammertoes.
What causes numbness between my toes?
Numbness or burning between the toes is often caused by Morton’s neuroma or peripheral neuropathy.
Can toe deformities be fixed without surgery?
Flexible deformities often improve with padding, splints, footwear changes, and orthotics. Rigid or painful deformities may need surgical correction.
When should I see a podiatrist for toe pain?
See a podiatrist if toe pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or comes with swelling, redness, drainage, or numbness.