What can I do to eliminate pain (soreness) in my big toe?

What can I do to eliminate pain (soreness) in my big toe?This is not a throbbing pain and it is not related to toe nail. The discomfort is in the joint where my right toe joins my foot. Sometime when I am lying down it will hurt like hell for 10 seconds or so but mostly, it bends about 70% of what is normal and seems to have a bit of swelling. The swelling increases from time to time. Primarily, the feeling is stiffness.

I have bad an MRI on the toe and they have determined I do not have gout. The MRI shows alot of blood flow around the joint so they know that something is not correct. It has been surmised that I have some arthritis in the joint.

That is fine and all but it is not solving the problem which is limited mobility in the toe which has been going on for a couple of years now. I do not recall injuring the joint. Any ideas?

Ideas about relieving the discomfort and increasing the mobility are both helpful. I am aware of this condition almost all of the time which really ticks me off.

Thanks

jam_please
Stick it in the water and let a catfis bite it off? It won't hurt anymore.

Jay
Take extra strength Advil

Gauri K
Haven't your doctors prescribed any anti-inflammatory and analgesic pills? You may take any mild painkillers which are available over the counter if you are in India. I don't know about the rules and regulations followed elsewhere.
As a home remedy, add a few teaspoons of salt in a bucket of hot water (only as hot as you can take it) and immerse your foot in it. Do this couple of times a day.
You may even apply a counterirritant on the joint and do not forget to gently massage the point.

SassySours
It's a bunion. I have this exact same problem with my foot. It hurts like hell, doesn't it???? I can just be sitting down at my desk and get such sharp pains in that joint that I want to cry. There are many different contraptions you can get to support the joint, but ultimately you might need surgery to correct it.

Erudite
Well, that's a bummer, because it's a difficult area to work on, but cold, heat and excercise are my standbys for pain and stiffness. First though - check out your shoes. Make sure the fit is right, and they're pure leather.
Ice the toe area for 20 mins. on and 20 minutes off. The 20 minutes off, use heat. After an hour, work your toe around with your fingers - back and forth and side to side, and then rotate it. Do this gently for about 10 minutes. I hope this helps.
And even though it's only in your toe, you need an anti-inflammatory. I only use aspirin - anything prescription strength will have side-effects.

What do you think? Answer below! Gout - information, symptoms and treatments. Googout.info health information factsheet - advice on gout and its symptoms, causes and treatment, plus prevention through diet.

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