Common Causes of Joint Pain in Big Toe in Young Female

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a 22 year old female and I have been having pain in the joint of the big toe on my left foot for about 2 weeks. It is not swollen, not red, not black and blue. I do not remember hitting it or jamming it. It hurts to bend, touch, and walk and hurts the most in the morning when I wake up. I have tried Ibuprofen and got no relief. Is this Gout? I thought I was too young for that and that it happened to men more. Any help would be great, thank you.

Dear Alison: I agree that it is unlikely gout at your age.

Causes of joint pain in the big toe at your age would include:

Bunion

Neuroma

Stress fracture

Over use (common)

Arch problems (common)

Metatarsalgia (common)

Uncomfortable Footwear (common)

Osteomyelitis

Tumour of the bone (RARE)

Radicular pain (pain caused by a pinched nerve elsewhere)

I think you did the right thing by observing it for 2 weeks but after no improvement with rest and ibuprofen, imaging and blood work should be done to rule out serious causes.  If your doctor feels it is caused by overuse, uncomfortable footwear, arch problems or metatarsalgia, he or she may recommend orthotics.