Your legs take a beating each day while you complete daily tasks or activities you enjoy. As a result, you may experience aches and pains from time to time. Pain in your big toe and hamstrings are no exception when it comes to leg pain. Ill-fitting shoes, medical conditions, injury and overuse can all lead to pain in your big toes or tightness in your hamstrings. If you experience pain or tightness, you should always consult your doctor for diagnoses and treatment.
Turf Toe
Turf toe is a reason for pain or injury to the big toe joint. When the big toe is forcibly pushed down during athletics or as the result of tripping, the ligaments, tendons and bone of your big toe may become injured. Most commonly, this injury results in the sprain of your big toe. Recollection of an injury and pain in your big toe joint are common indicators of turf toe. Your doctor will perform an evaluation as well order an X-ray or MRI. Treatment for turf toe includes anti-inflammatory medications, rest and possible immobilization. Upon returning to physical activity, prescription foot orthotics may be prescribed.
Bunions
A bunion is another possible cause for pain in your big toe. A bunion is an abnormal protrusion at the base of your big toe. When a bunion forms, it pushes your big toe against your other toes which can cause a noticeable foot deformity. Bunions can be hereditary, occur as the result of wearing shoes that fit improperly or be the result of a medical condition -- including arthritis. Your doctor can identify a bunion with a simple examination of your foot. Your doctor may order an X-ray to better determine the severity of the bunion. Bunions can be treated with wearing more comfortable shoes, padding the bunion, pain medication, shoe inserts or surgery -- if more conservative measures fail.
Hamstring Syndrome
Hamstring syndrome is a condition that creates pain around the buttocks and your thighs. Your hamstrings are the muscles that run down the back of your thighs. Hamstring syndrome most likely occurs as the result of a pinched nerve that extends to the hamstring muscles. Weakness in the ligaments surrounding your hamstrings can also place excessive stress on your hamstrings. If you have hamstring syndrome, your hamstrings are often tight and painful. You may also experience pain running from your buttocks down your thigh. Hamstring syndrome can be treated with therapy. As a last resort, surgery can be performed in order to remove the pinched nerve from the hamstring.
Hamstring Injuries
Your hamstrings can become injured as the result of running, falling or making a sudden stop while exercising or engaging in sports. Hamstring injuries can range from mild to severe. You can experience a mild strain all the way up to a complete tear of your hamstring muscle. If you have injured your hamstring, you may notice pain, swelling, weakness, tightness, bruising or discoloration of your hamstrings. A hamstring strain is likely to resolve itself within a few days. However, many individuals seek the attention of their physician with the inability to walk or if they are experiencing severe pain. Your doctor will perform a physical examination as well as order imaging tests to determine the degree of your hamstring injury. Treatment for your hamstring injury depends largely on the severity of the injury. You may be asked to rest, ice your hamstrings, elevate your leg or wear an elastic compression bandage. Your doctor may also prescribe the use of a knee splint to keep your leg in a neutral position as it heals or physical therapy to help restore strength and range of motion in your leg. For complete tears of the hamstrings, surgery may be required to repair the muscle.
