The little toe when injured or traumatized can cause increased pain due to its location on the outside of the foot. This location makes it the most prone to these types of alterations.
Injuries to the little toe can be caused by different reasons, such as wearing tight shoes, a fracture, a bone defect, a sprain, among others. Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, we explain in detail what all the causes of little toe pain are and their treatment.
Table of Contents
Trauma
A direct and decisive blow to both the foot and the little finger can cause a significant injury by causing a wound that may or may not be open. This, in turn, causes pain, deformation, and the inability to ambulate to the point of being unable to stand.
Treatment
If this is your case, you should go to the doctor to get an X-ray of your finger, check the type of trauma you have, and then start treatment.
If there is no fracture, your doctor will recommend wearing a walking boot or a pinky bone cast while healing occurs.
Instead, the doctor will decide to splint the little finger to keep it in place when it comes to a tear.
Little finger overuse fracture
This type of fracture is caused by repetitive stress on or overuse of the little toe. On some occasions, high-impact activities that involve running and jumping can cause this alteration.
The characteristic symptom is pain, in addition to a swelling of the little finger and foot.
Treatment
This should be started immediately to prevent the fracture from getting worse:
- To take a break.
- Apply ice or cold compresses several times a day.
- Make compression utilizing a bandage in the area.
- Keep the foot elevated above the chest.
The specialist will indicate pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
Dislocation
If you bump or stretch your little finger back too far, you can separate one bone from the other, known as a dislocation.
This situation frequently occurs among athletes and people over 65 years of age. The characteristic of this injury is pain when moving the finger, twisting, and swelling.
Treatment
Initially, the doctor will order an X-ray to corroborate the diagnosis and manually place the dislocated bone. This maneuver is performed under local anesthesia not to feel pain.
Then you will need to wear an elastic bandage, splint, cast, or walking boot. This will keep the bone in alignment while it heals.
In some cases, surgery will be necessary to put the dislocated bone into position.
Sprain
An injury causes a sprain to the ligament, which is damaged by overstretching. Like trauma, it can cause a fracture to the little toe and is characterized by pain, swelling, and bruising.
Treatment
This will depend on the severity of the injury:
- If the sprain is the grade I, where there is minimal pain accompanied by loss of function, it heals independently.
- When it is a grade II sprain, the pain is moderate, and the weight is limited. In this case, the doctor will recommend using a walking boot.
- In grade III sprain, the pain is intense, so it is impossible to put weight on that toe. In this situation, it is recommended to take analgesics and anti-inflammatories, in addition to maintaining rest for 15 to 21 days.
Tailor’s Juanita
It is a bulge-like deformity that occurs in the fifth metatarsal bone, at the base of the little toe. It is called this way because tailors had a reputation for doing their work sitting cross-legged, with the outside of their little fingers digging into the ground.
Bunions are very painful, which is why they cause significant discomfort.
Treatment
The first thing the doctor will recommend is using shoes of an appropriate size. It is advisable a shoe with a wide toe and a heel with a manageable height. In this sense, the use of orthopedic insoles is recommended.
Considering the symptoms that the patient presents, the injection of corticosteroids will be indicated to reduce inflammation.
In case of not achieving improvement, the specialist will indicate surgery to remove the bunion.
Little finger deformity
Improper movement or posture can put pressure on the feet and cause changes in the toes such as:
- Hammertoe: This is evident when the toe is bent downward rather than forward.
- Claw toe – In this case, the little finger is bent into a claw-like position. It can be present from birth, or it can develop due to diseases such as diabetes.
Both deformities are very painful, and they can develop calluses, as well as blisters.
Treatment
For the treatment of both deformities, the orthopedic surgeon will recommend using a splint or bandage to keep the little finger in a proper position.
In the case of claw toe, the doctor will indicate exercises to keep the finger flexible.
If it does not improve with the previous suggestions, the specialist will propose surgery to make the proper correction.
Calluses
The calluses that form on the toes result from friction generated by the constant use of tight or oversized shoes.
Treatment
Corns on the little finger can heal on their own once the friction with what caused it is stopped. The first thing is to wear shoes that fit the foot correctly. For this, it is advisable to visit the podiatrist to remove the hardness of the skin where the callus is located.
Wearing heels
The daily use of heels is one of the most common causes of pain in the little toe of the feet.
In this case, to alleviate the pain, it is enough to stop using those shoes that cause pain and opt for lower ones and that, above all, do not squeeze or oppress the front part of the foot. It is imperative to choose shoes that adapt well to the feet, that the toes have enough space inside them, and you can move them quickly.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Pain in the little finger of the foot: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, Joints, and Muscles.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.