Toe Pain
Common Causes of Toe Pain
Our clinical team regularly assesses and treats the following:
- Ingrown toenails: the nail edge cutting into the nail fold, causing pain and potential infection
- Corns and callus on or between the toes
- Bunions and hallux abducto valgus: a bony prominence and deviation at the big toe joint
- Hallux rigidus: stiffness and arthritic pain at the big toe joint
- Gout: inflammatory arthritis most commonly affecting the big toe joint
- Morton’s neuroma: nerve compression causing shooting pain between the toes
- Hammer toes, claw toes, and overlapping toe deformities
- Verrucae on the toes causing pressure-related pain
- Subungual haematoma: bruising beneath the toenail following trauma
- Fungal nail infections causing nail distortion and discomfort
Signs and Symptoms
We recommend seeking assessment if you notice:
- Persistent pain in or around any of your toes
- Redness, swelling, or warmth around the nail fold or a toe joint
- Difficulty fitting into regular footwear due to toe discomfort or visible deformity
- Shooting or burning pain extending into the toes from the ball of the foot
- Thickening, discolouration, or structural change to one or more toenails
- A lesion or growth on a toe that is causing pressure pain or spreading
How We Treat Toe Pain
Treatment at West Bridgford Podiatry is always preceded by a thorough assessment. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:
- Conservative or surgical nail avulsion for ingrown toenails
- Corn and callus debridement within a routine foot treatment appointment
- Padding and deflective orthotic therapy for toe deformities
- Footwear modification advice to reduce pressure on affected toes
- Verruca treatment using Verrutop, Silver Nitrate, or cryotherapy
- Onward referral to orthopaedic surgery or rheumatology where appropriate
Evidence and Clinical Standards
All treatment follows HCPC standards and the guidance of the College of Podiatry.
Getting to West Bridgford Podiatry
7 Musters Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7PP. Close to Trent Bridge, with local bus links and free on-site parking front and rear. Open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm and alternate Saturdays 8:00am to 1:00pm.
Faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my footwear be causing my toe pain?
Yes. Tight, narrow, or pointed footwear is a major contributor to many toe conditions, including ingrown toenails, interdigital corns, and the progression of bunions. Footwear assessment and advice form part of every toe pain consultation.
What is the difference between a hard corn and a soft corn?
A hard corn (heloma durum) is a concentrated area of thickened skin with a central core, typically on the top of the toes or the sole. A soft corn (heloma molle) is a softer, macerated growth found between the toes. Both are painful and are best treated by a podiatrist.
Can a podiatrist help with gout in the toe?
A podiatrist can assess and manage the foot and toe symptoms of gout, including offloading the painful joint and advising on footwear. The underlying metabolic management of gout is coordinated with your GP, to whom we can refer.
Is hallux rigidus treatable without surgery?
Many patients with hallux rigidus achieve good pain relief through conservative measures including footwear modification and orthotics with a stiff toe extension. Surgery is considered when conservative approaches no longer provide adequate relief.








