Child Big Toe Pain And Treatments
Your big toe (or ‘hallux’) is of particular importance to the anatomy of your foot as it helps to maintain balance and bears the brunt of the force generated by walking. Unsurprisingly, big toe pain can cause more disability than pain experienced in the other four toes. The causes of big toe pain can also vary considerably from child to adult. Big toe pain can be caused by something as simple as badly-fitting shoes, or may represent something more complex.
Chris Parish, our Orthopaedic Podiatrist, has over 23 years experience diagnosing and treating the causes of child foot pain, including big toe pain. To discuss your child’s big toe pain or condition in greater detail, or to make an appointment to see Chris about your child’s big toe pain, please call us (numbers opposite) or contact us using our online form.
Contents
- Juvenile Bunions
- Treatment for Juvenile Bunions
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
- Treatments for Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
Child Big Toe Pain Causes And Treatments
Juvenile Bunions
Juvenile bunions, as the name suggests, is the name given to bunions in children, especially teenagers. They occur when the joint at the base of the big toe moves out of alignment and leans inwards to the middle of the foot.
When juvenile bunions appear, it is common for your child’s foot to be rolling inwards – this is called overpronation – which causes excessive motion in the foot ,and a splaying or spreading of the bones in the foot – the metatarsals. Typically your child will be lax- or loose- jointed.
Juvenile bunions are not necessarily painful, but if left untreated they can cause inflammation and swelling at the base of the toe, which causes tenderness and difficulty walking. Tight or badly fitting shoes will make symptoms worse, and sometimes the foot may become so wide it can be difficult to find shoes that fit.
Treatment for Juvenile Bunions
The most common treatment for juvenile bunions is custom–made orthotic insoles, and night splints which align the toes and control overpronation in the foot. These will be tailored to your child’s feet so as to provide maximum support.
Surgery in children is not usually recommended.
Please see our Bunions section for additional information
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, also referred to as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, is an arthritic condition that affects children.
There are three main types:
- Oligoarticular (or Pauciarticular) Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis,
- Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and
- Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (also known as Still’s Disease).
All three affect both boys and girls.
In the UK alone, it is estimated that over 12,000 children under the age of 16 are affected by some form of arthritis.
In all types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the joints is the most common symptom; the joints may also look red and feel hot to touch. The number of joints affected will vary depending on which form of the condition your child has.
Oligoarticular (or pauciarticular) juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects about half of all children with the condition. It affects mainly girls under the age of eight and is usually present in four joints or fewer – usually the larger joints such as the knees, ankles or wrists. After the age of eight, boys are the more likely gender to develop this type of arthritis.
The polyarticular form affects about a third of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and can occur at any age. It is a condition that affects five or more joints, especially the fingers and toes. Inflammation may also occur in your child’s hips, neck and jaw, and can spread from joint to joint very quickly. Other symptoms of polyarticular juvenile arthritis include nodules on the elbows, rash, and/or fever.
Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (also known as Still’s Disease) is the least common form of the condition, affecting approximately 20% of children found to have arthritis. It may develop at any age and, in addition to joint pain, initial symptoms can also include a rash, fever, swollen glands, tiredness and lack of energy and/or weight loss, leading you to believe your child may have an infection.
In all types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms may last into adult life or they may disappear as your child grows up.
Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
While there is no cure for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, treatment can help to reduce symptoms and prevent long term problems.
If your child’s toes are affected, an Orthopaedic Podiatrist may recommend custom-made orthotic insoles to support the joints in the foot and help improve mobility.
These will be made specifically to fit inside your child’s normal shoes. An exact fit is important as it enables the insoles to provide maximum results.
He may also recommend specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in the foot and to encourage physical activity.
Anti-inflammatory medication is also used to help control pain and manage inflammation.
Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
A toe sprain (turf toe) can be caused by stubbing the toe when walking barefoot, stopping suddenly when running or landing awkwardly when jumping.
In adults this type of injury is mainly seen in sportsmen and women and dancers; a sprain occurs when the ligaments which hold the bones together around a joint are damaged (partially torn) by overstretching or twisting.
Diagnosis in children is sometimes difficult to make because there is a tendency for tendons and ligaments to be stronger than bones, meaning the toe is more likely to break before a sprain occurs.
If in any doubt, see an Orthopaedic Podiatrist.
Treatments for Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
In the event of a toe sprain (turf toe) your Orthopaedic Podiatrist will recommend they rest the injured toe for at least 48 hours.
Elevating their foot on a pillow, ice therapy and if necessary a compression bandage will help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Chris Parish, our Orthopaedic Podiatrist, has over 23 years of experience diagnosing and treating the causes of child foot pain, including big toe pain. To discuss your child’s big toe pain or condition in greater detail, or to make an appointment to see Chris about your child’s big toe pain, please contact us.