Do you have a swollen painful toe?

So what causes a swollen toe?
There may be many medical reasons for a swollen toe. It could be due to a traumatic injury, overuse injury or even an underlying medical condition. The toes consist of three bones called the phalanges, with the exception of the big toe (or hallux) which contains only 2. These bones are held together by ligaments. Tendons also pass through the toes and connect to these bones to allow movement when the muscles within the foot and lower leg contract. You will also find nerves and blood vessels in the toes.

Traumatic injuries
In case you have dropped something on your toe, or been involved in a traumatic incident such as a tackle or a car accident, then a swollen toe could indicate:
- A broken toe
- Bruising of the bone or surrounding soft tissue
- A ligament injury if the toe was bent backwards or twisted e.g. turf toe
- Overuse injuries comes on gradually, rather than after a specific incident. Pain gradually increases.
- Metatarsalgia
- Tendonitis – inflammation of one of the tendons in the toe.
- Bursitis – often secondary to a hammer toe and located on the top of the second toe.

Some medical conditions may result in swelling in the feet and toes:
- Gout - other symptoms will include redness, heat and pain.
- Arthritis
- Infection
- Venous thrombosis (blood clot)
- Allergic reaction (to anything from medications, to food, to insect bites).

Treatment of a swollen painful toe
Specific treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling. Visit your doctor or a sports injury specialist for an assessment, particularly if you suspect it may be any of the medical conditions listed above. If the swelling is as a result of a traumatic injury, swelling can be reduced by resting, applying cold therapy and elevating the foot.

This link will help you to find treatments and solutions for swollen painful toe.

So, runners keep you feet healthy.