A bruised toenail can develop after the toe is injured by a heavy object, repeated pressure, or tight footwear. The injury can cause bleeding under the nail, which leads to dark discoloration that may appear red, purple, or black. This condition, often called a black toenail, occurs when blood is trapped beneath the nail. As the blood collects, pressure can build under the nail and cause throbbing pain or tenderness. In some cases, the nail may lift or loosen as the pressure increases. Although many bruised toenails gradually improve as the nail grows out, a severe injury may require medical evaluation. A podiatrist can examine the toe to determine whether there is significant pressure, infection, or damage to the nail bed, which is the tissue under the nail that supports nail growth. Proper diagnosis helps protect the nail and prevent long-term nail changes. If you have a painful toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Lesly Honore, MD, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
- Trauma
- Sports injury
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Corns and calluses
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Blisters
- Ingrown toenails
- Sprains
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
- Severe pain
- Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
- Signs of infection
- Continued swelling
- Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Hempstead, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
