There are numerous causes of big toe joint pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, joint pain can affect one or more joints and can be caused by many types of injuries or medical conditions. Big toe joint pain can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, it can affect a person's ability to perform her everyday activities.
Gout
Gout can cause big toe joint pain. Gout is a painful disorder that manifests when uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints and surrounding soft tissues. The uric acid crystals can cause joint inflammation, which leads to swelling, redness, heat, pain and stiffness in the affected area. The big toe is often one of the first locations in the body to develop gout. Gout in the big toe joints is called podagra. Along with the joints of the big toe, gout can develop in the ankles, heels, wrists, fingers and elbows. There are many possible causes of gout or podagra. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, the following factors may contribute to uric acid deposits in the joints of the big toe: having a family history of gout, being an adult male, being overweight, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, eating a purine-rich diet and taking certain medications.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause big toe joint pain. The Arthritis Foundation, or AF, states that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of a joint's synovial lining. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause significant joint damage, which causes chronic pain, reduced joint range of motion and functional disability. According to the AF, rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million people in the United States. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Although rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the finger, hand and wrist joints, it can manifest in the joints of the big toe. Possible signs and symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include the following: morning stiffness in the affected area, weakness, fever, flu-like symptoms, nodules of tissue under the skin, muscle pain and fatigue.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can cause big toe joint pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website, osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It is a progressive disease that causes joint cartilage to wear down over time. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the joints of the big toe, it usually manifests in the hands, hips, knees, neck and lower back. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, some treatments or therapies can relieve pain and minimize or eliminate the uneven joint wearing that contributes to the development of osteoarthritis. Common signs and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include the following: pain in the affected joint, a joint that is tender to the touch, joint stiffness, decreased joint active range of motion, a grating sensation in affected joints and osteophytes, or bone spurs.
