Possible Broken Toe

[teenageworrier876]

About two days ago I woke up with an agonizing pain in my right big toe. It was swollen, throbbing, and I could not put any weight on it. Come now, I still cannot bare to put weight on it and it is still throbbing. I cannot find and cuts or small bite marks as I was outside that night. I do not remember having any injuries to the toe, but I did hurt it two months ago... I have no idea what this could be. Help!

[philnoir]

Friend, when I was a jogger (yes, many years ago), I would often strain muscles -- so often that I didn't pay much attention to those injuries. Perhaps you've injured or re-injured the toe.

Don't do that 200m race -- let your toe heel.

[wonderland610]

I have done that in the past. I agree, Ice and rest it, I hurt my toe a year ago moving into my new house. Dropped a sofa on it. It sure is painful.  It still hurts at times.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Teenageworrier,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I'm sorry to hear about the pain in your big toe. I know how debilitating that can be.

You may have provided two clues. One, you said you have a 200m race tomorrow and two you said you injured it two months ago.

Did you look closely to make sure you don't have an ingrown toenail? If we rule that out the next thought would be injury. However before we think about injuries do you have juvenile diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis or any other chronic medical condition? I ask because I agree with Phil that Gouty Arthritis comes to mind. Ppl your age don't normally get that condition unless there is an undying disease.

My best guess would be that "injury" you sustained a few months ago has not completely healed - or it was more extensive then initially thought. Is the toe red, discolored or warm to touch?

I doubt you'll be in any shape to make that run tomorrow. Indeed if this is an injury, running on that toe could do even more damage and it could be permanent. So please excuse yourself from that race.

I assume you have a PCP (Primary Care Physician). Plz give his/her office a call, ask to talk to his nurse and tell her what you have told us. You require medical evaluation - which you cannot obtain here. If you do not have a PCP then a trip to Urgent Care (not ER) is your next best bet.

There is a reason that toe is swelling. That "reason" need to be addressed. Your PCP may want to do labs such as a Sed Rate and and probably an x-ray.   Please make that call. You're fair too young to "mess up" your toe for possibly years because you wanted to make a race.

In the meantime remember the parts of R.I.C.E. that are applicable- Rest, Ice and Elevate. Talk to a parent regarding with NSAID you should take to help reduce the pain and swelling - better yet ask your PCP when you make that call today. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It may help relieve pain but it does not help reduce inflammation or the swelling that often accompanies it.

Please let us know how you are doing. Please seek medical care... and don't participate in that Race! I'd be interested to learn how this turns out for you. You're always welcome here.

I wish you the best.

~Tuck

[teenageworrier876]

I am only 18 and very active

[teenageworrier876]

I don't recall any trauma, but I am a klutz. The pain is intensifying and I can't even walk on it anymore. I have a 200m race tomorrow and am in agonizing pain right now. My toe is stiff and swollen and the pain continues to intensify, but there is not point in going to emergency as they won't do anything. I can't find a pain killer that will work either.

[philnoir]

Well, did the toe suffer any trauma?

If you were older, I'd suggest you're having an attack of gout. Is the knuckle swollen?

There can also be simple explanations -- bad shoes, for example.

I don't know a lot about feet (I know much more about the hooves of our ungulate cousins), so I'll leave you with one of our nurses who undoubtedly know more about this than I do as far as care.

Best wishes.