Pain in the second toe can be due to injuries, such as sprains or fractures. However, it could also occur due to inflammation, arthritis, and other conditions that can affect the foot.
A person has 28 bones in their feet, 14 of which are in the toes. The toes work together with muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments to provide balance and help with walking.
When a person has pain in their second toe, they may find walking painful or difficult. This article will look into the various causes of second toe pain, treatments, and when to talk with a doctor.
A toe fracture occurs when a bone in a person’s toe breaks. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, toe fractures are a common injury.
A traumatic fracture on the second toe may happen if a person drops something heavy on it or accidentally kicks something hard.
There are two types of traumatic fractures: displaced or nondisplaced. A displaced fracture means that the end of the broken bone has moved from where it should be. A nondisplaced fracture means there is a crack in the bone, but it is still aligned.
Symptoms of traumatic fracture include:
- an audible popping or cracking noise during the injury
- pain at the location of the fracture at the time of injury, which may last several hours and then go away
- crooked toe shape
- bruising or swelling the day after the injury
A person who has experienced trauma to the foot should seek an examination from a doctor, as they may require an X-ray.
Most toe fractures do not require surgery, but a small number could, particularly if the joint is dislocated or misshapen.
Sprains
A sprain is an injury
- a fall
- overextending the toe
- twisting the toe
Symptoms of a sprained second toe could include:
- pain
- swelling
- bruising
- not being able to use the toe
Treatment
Someone who thinks they have broken or sprained their toe should speak with a doctor. A doctor can recommend the most suitable treatment for their injury.
Treatments for fractures include:
- rest
- splinting, which involves strapping the toe in place
- a rigid or stiff-soled shoe
- buddy taping, which involves taping the injured toe to the toe beside it
- surgery
Treatment for sprains can include:
- rest
- putting an ice pack on the area
- compressing the injury with bandages
- raising the foot on a pillow
- anti-inflammatory pain medications, such as ibuprofen
Capsulitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the ligaments surrounding the joint at the base of a toe. These ligaments help the joint function properly.
Capsulitis can develop in the third and fourth toes but is most common in the second toe.
Capsulitis occurs when the ball of a person’s foot experiences excessive pressure. This may be caused by:
- a severe bunion
- the second toe being longer than the big toe
- an unstable arch
- a tight calf muscle
Symptoms of capsulitis can include:
- pain, particularly in the ball of the foot
- discomfort
- swelling, including at the base of the second toe
- difficulty wearing shoes
- pain when walking barefoot
A person with capsulitis may also feel as if there is something in their shoe, such as a stone or a marble.
Treatment
Many conservative treatments can relieve capsulitis, including:
- resting and applying ice
- splinting or taping
- taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- doing stretches recommended by a doctor
- wearing supportive shoes with stiff soles
- using orthotic devices, such as arch supports
Without treatment, capsulitis can cause the inflamed ligaments to weaken. This can lead to the second toe crossing over the top of the big toe, which is called crossover toe. Additionally, capsulitis can result in the toe becoming dislocated.
If a person develops crossover toe, they may need surgery to correct it. With crossover, dislocation, and subluxation, the toes can rub against the shoes. The friction this causes may lead to corns, which may lead to breaks in the skin and infection.
A neuroma is the inflammation of the nerves between a person’s toes caused by thickened tissues surrounding the nerve. It is due to the collapse of surrounding structures in the foot. This leads to increased traction on the nerve.
A specific type of neuroma known as Morton’s neuroma usually occurs in the nerve between the third and fourth toes. However, neuroma can
Neuroma is a result of the compression or irritation of the nerve. A common cause of Morton’s neuroma is wearing shoes with a pointed toe box. High heels that force the toes into the toe box can also lead to Morton’s neuroma.
Other causes include:
- running or court sports
- certain foot abnormalities
- injury
Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include:
- tingling
- pain
- burning
- numbness
- a feeling of something being in the shoe
- a feeling of something inside the ball of the foot
Treatment
Treatment for Morton’s neuroma can include:
- arch support
- icing the area
- orthotic devices
- stopping activities that put pressure on the neuroma
- wearing shoes with a wide toe box
- NSAIDs
- injections of cortisone or local anesthetics
- surgery, if resistant to other treatments
An ingrown toenail occurs when a person’s nail curves and grows into their skin. Ingrown toenails usually affect the skin at the sides of the nail. Ingrown toenails can be a result of:
- improper trimming
- inherited causes
- injury
- improperly sized shoes
- nail problems
Ingrown toenails can cause:
- pain
- swelling
- warmth
Ingrown toenails can also lead to a person developing an infection in their toe.
Treatment
If a person has an ingrown toenail, they should see a doctor if they have:
- infection
- diabetes
- nerve damage in the foot
- poor circulation
A doctor can then treat them using antibiotics or a minor surgery.
A person without infection or a high risk medical condition may treat their ingrown toenail at home. Home treatment for an ingrown toenail involves soaking the toe in warm water and massaging the nail fold.
Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes pain in the ball of a person’s foot. Metatarsalgia generally affects the heads of a person’s second and third metatarsals. The metatarsals are long bones that connect a person’s toes to their ankles. The head of the metatarsals make up the ball of the foot.
Metatarsalgia may be caused by:
- structural differences in the foot
- arthritis
- diabetes
- high heels
- standing work
Treatment
Treatments for metatarsalgia include:
- metatarsal pad insoles
- shoe wear modification
- physical therapy
- injections
- surgery
The plantar plate is a thick ligament that attaches the metatarsals to the first bone of the toes. Damage to the plantar plate can lead to a person developing conditions such as:
- synovitis, which is where the connective tissue of a joint becomes swollen
- hammertoe, which is when a person’s toe curls downward with the middle joint pointing upward
- crossover toe
- subluxation, which is the partial dislocation of a joint
- dislocation
Treatment
Treatments for plantar plate injuries depend on the stage of the condition. For early stage symptoms, doctors may recommend taping the toe or using splints to stop the progression.
However, people with this condition often do not seek help until the disease has advanced. This may mean they need surgery to fix the problem.
Occasionally, other health issues can indirectly or directly cause second toe pain, such as:
People with diabetes should check their feet regularly for sores and wounds, which can cause toe pain.
A person may be able to relieve toe pain symptoms by:
- resting and raising the foot when possible
- putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every few hours
- wearing comfortable shoes with enough room for the toes
- using orthotics, or special insoles, to support the foot
- take NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, or use pain-relieving gel
- avoiding standing for long periods
- avoiding tight, pointed, or heeled shoes
These remedies may lessen the pain but may not cure it in all cases. This will depend on the underlying cause.
It is important to note that people with neuropathy cannot sense temperatures as well as other people. They should not soak their feet in water that is too hot or use ice packs that are too cold to manage pain. This could cause burns.
Always wrap ice packs in a towel or cloth before using, and only use them for a short amount of time. Only use warm water in baths or showers, not hot.
If home treatments do not cure a person’s toe pain or the symptoms are severe, they should speak with a doctor.
A person should consider contacting a doctor if they have:
- pain that keeps getting worse
- pain that persists for over 2 weeks or that keeps coming back
- reduced mobility during daily activities
- diabetes
- an atypical growth on the foot
- changes in the appearance of the foot
Get immediate help if a person:
- has injured their foot, particularly if there was a snapping, popping, or grinding noise when it happened
- is in severe pain
- cannot move their toes or walk
- also experiences numbness or tingling
- has toes pointing in different directions or other changes in the foot’s appearance
Various conditions can cause a person to have pain in their second toe. These can range from injuries to certain health conditions.
Although people can sometimes treat toe pain at home, a person should speak with a doctor if they have an injury or if the pain is persistent. If left untreated, some causes of toe pain can get worse.
