I have been having pain in my left foot big toe joint for about two months and then the same started on my right foot about 3 weeks ago. I went to the doctor and they thought it was gout but all the test said no go for gout. But the x-rays showed spurs on the toe joints. I dont know if it just involves the big toe or if others are involved (doc didnt say). I have an appointment with podiatry in about 3 weeks to see what is wrong. Anyone have ideas of what this could be. Now the other joints at the base of my toes on left foot are hurting, I thought it may be from walking with the weight on them instead of on my big toe. Any ideas?? Thanks

I was told that on my xray I had a tiny bone spur at the top of my big toe joint so when I walked the bone spur would rub and cause pain.
But the pain was actually exacerbated if not totally caused by my shoe choice!
I used to wear shoes w/ very flexible soles thinking that that was good but it was actually the opposite as the orthopedic surgeon said it just caused more flexion and rubbing of the bone. He recommended stiff soled shoes (I now almost only wear Dansko shoes), not things like Aerosoles (those kill my feet) or shoes that are very "bendy"

I assume that you don't have bunions, as bunions and the bursitis associated w/ it can be painful, or any kind of other arthritis (caused by other kinds of diseases), not knowing anything about you at all except you have unspecified toe pain)

I dont have bunions or any arthritis that I know of. I am very active or was until foot pain. I wear serveral different kinds of shoe including military boots (no choice there part of the uniform). The pain seems to be more severe in certain shoes, but I am always in pain when I walk no matter what I am wearing.

Another suggestion for shoes that I received from my orthopedic sugeon was Sketchers. As mentioned, there are very firm and do not give much flexibility. Good luck with your podiatry appointment. One suggestion that I have is to also consult with an orthopedic surgeon. Their suggestions might vary from a podiatrist. I know from which I speak. I had two surgeries with a poditrist, and my last surgery (a week and a half ago) was with an orthopedic surgeon.

jdm

Another suggestion for shoes that I received from my orthopedic sugeon was Sketchers. As mentioned, there are very firm and do not give much flexibility. Good luck with your podiatry appointment. One suggestion that I have is to also consult with an orthopedic surgeon. Their suggestions might vary from a podiatrist. I know from which I speak. I had two surgeries with a poditrist, and my last surgery (a week and a half ago) was with an orthopedic surgeon.

jdm

Thanks for the shoe suggestion. I have tried several different pairs of shoe and found that I am in less pain in certain ones. But the pain never total goes away. Podiatry is backed up so itmight be a few more weeks to get seen.

Another suggestion for shoes that I received from my orthopedic sugeon was Sketchers. As mentioned, there are very firm and do not give much flexibility. Good luck with your podiatry appointment. One suggestion that I have is to also consult with an orthopedic surgeon. Their suggestions might vary from a podiatrist. I know from which I speak. I had two surgeries with a poditrist, and my last surgery (a week and a half ago) was with an orthopedic surgeon.

jdm
I agree with jdm, getting the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon would be a good idea.

I agree with jdm, getting the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon would be a good idea.

I finally got an appointment and it is a month away (Apr). I was seen 9th of Feb and just now getting an appointment. Thats great and all but what am I susposed to do in the meantime. Just hobble around?? Also running out of pain meds with no refill. I hate going back to the regualr doc because of the lack of concern I got the first time. They were saying that nothing was wrong and then he looked at the x-rays and said "oh you have spurs-get insoles" and that was it. I asked about something for pain and he said Motrin. I then asked about seeing a foot doc and he said I could have a referal. Sorry I just had to vent.

Sorry that you have to wait so long to see the doctor. From my experience, it might not hurt to try insoles. I have custom orthodics and there is a huge difference when I have then in my shoes. Trying insoles might be better then nothing. Wrapping my foot sometimes helped. I used the stretchy bandage. It is the same kind that people use to wrap horses legs. I found that it was cheaper to buy it at a feed store than a drug store, and you can buy it in colors as opposed to just the beige color. Good luck. Keep us posted.

jdm

I will try wrapping my foot. I have been using insoles for over a month now. Seems to help some. Thanks

I have hallux rigidus - which is basically arthritis in the big toe joint. My big toe was cracking for years when I walked and then it started hurting. Not real bad at first, but worse as the years went by. I have bone spurs in there as well. My dr basically blew me off when I went to him about it a few years ago. I am very active and the foot dr says its due to foot mechanics and probably a previous injury, like stubbing my toe. This condition started when I was in my 20's. So don't rule out the arthritis - any joint can it at any age. Motrin helps because it reduces the inflammation. But you have to take strong doses. I also bought some magnets at ourfootdoctor.com that I tape over the joint with band aids. This has actually helped in reducing the pain. And of course the orthotics are a life saver. You might want to try the magnets and get some orthotics from the store to get you by until you can get diagnosed. And wear stiff soled shoes that are roomy in the toe area.