A Possible Sign of Arthritis
Inability to curl the toes, push the foot down, or twist the ankle inward Weakness in the ankle, foot, or toes Tests that may be done include: EMG (a recording of electrical activity in muscles). May 11, 2019 Arthritis may attack the toes. Arthritis commonly attacks joints in the hands, knees, and hips, but it can occur in any part of the body where joints exist — including the toes. Toes curl down especially with shoes on by: Anonymous For 3 yrs now my toes on one foot curl down. It's not a cramp, but if I don't get them back up it starts to cramp. A lot worse with shoes on. Toes press the ground hard. But I can sort of walk if I go real slow and concentrate on relaxing my foot to get my toes up. Doctors have no clue. Aug 10, 2003 I've been a compulsive toe cracker for 4 years. I just curl them down and then swoop them up and down again. Crack crack crack crack. It's disgusting. And my feet hurt sometimes. I suggest if you have just started this habbit that you stop it immidiately. It will not get any better it will only start to hurt. Plus people will think you are lame.
Why do my toes crack when I curl them? But here’s the surprising thing: The cracking has to do with gas. “Gases are dissolved in the synovial fluid of the joint,” he says. “When you stretch and quickly compress the joint capsule the gas is rapidly released, which forms bubbles and cracking noise.
Sadly, that crack, crack, cracking you’re hearing from your feet these days as you walk may be more than just another sign of getting old. In actuality, you may have arthritis and not know it.
What is arthritis, exactly?
The term arthritis is a bit of a misnomer and does not describe a single condition. Rather, it refers to the overall pain or disease that is caused by inflammation or stiffness in the joints. In fact, there are over 100 different types of arthritis and other related disorders that the term can actually cover.
When arthritis occurs in the joints (including the toes), it wears away cartilage between the joints. This causes inflammation in the associated tissues and/or wears away the synovial fluid (lubrication for the joints) over time. This makes the joints stiff and painful, which can become a serious problem for the big toe, as it is primarily responsible for balance when you walk.
Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
Risk factors for developing arthritis in the toes may include:
- Family history of arthritis
- Increased age
- Obesity
- Wearing tight, high-heeled shoes for extended periods of time
What are some common symptoms of arthritis?
When it comes to arthritis in the toe(s), common symptoms may include:
- Changes in the appearance of the toe(s), such as joint enlarging (think of what a bunion may look like) or toe curving (a.k.a. claw foot)
- Pain in the big toe or several toes
- Stiffness that makes moving the toe(s) difficult
- Swelling, which may turn the toe(s) red, feel warm to the touch and make putting shoes on difficult
- Toe joint(s) locking up
How can arthritic toe pain be treated?
There are a number of things you can try to ease the pain and other symptoms of arthritis, such as:
- Applying topical treatments, like Icy Hot® (or any treatment that contains capsaicin)
- Getting a foot massage
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) over the counter (e.g., Aleve®, Advil®, Motrin®, etc.)
- Wearing wide, comfortable, supportive shoes with arch support, so the joints of the toes and feet are stabilized (e.g., toning athletic shoes)
- Wiggling your toes to increase joint mobility
Could my symptoms be the result of something other than arthritis?
There are several conditions that can mimic the symptoms of arthritis (most notably rheumatoid arthritis). These include:
- Certain infections, such as Lyme disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Chikungunya virus
- Lupus, a choric autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own tissues
- Morton’s neuroma, a condition in which the tissue around a nerve connected to the toes becomes thickened
- Vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels
>No matter what the cause, if you suspect you have arthritis in one or more of your toes, a trip to a rheumatologist may be in order (because self-diagnosing is so early 2000s).
Come to the Joint Specialists
At Northeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (NEOSM), our physicians have years of experience in effectively treating all orthopedic conditions and injuries, including those related to joint pain and arthritis. Our multidisciplinary approach to care ensures that patients receive the customized treatment they need to get moving again.
For more information on arthritis or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contactNEOSMtoday.
There is not a doubt that everyone from time-to-time experiences a “cracking” sound in their feet; this sound can be referred to as joint popping. Joint popping is quite common and there is usually no reason to fear that something is wrong.
As we walk cracking sounds may be heard, but this most likely occurs when the foot is moved beyond its normal range of motion. It is more common to hear cracking when you stretch or roll your foot. Pops and cracks are normal in this case because the motions require the bones and ligaments to stretch. If you have ever gently stretched your toes back and forth then you inevitably have heard cracks coming from your toes.
Causes of Cracking
There are two main reasons why our joints crack. The bones in our joints are surrounded by synovial fluid which lubricates and prevents bones from rubbing against one another. Synovial fluid contains three gases: oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases form bubbles when the joint capsule is stretched. A popping sound is heard when oxygen bubbles are released. The other reason why joints crack is related to movement of the ligaments or tendons. Ligaments or tendons can tangle or they can excessively tighten and when this happens, you hear a gentle pop as they return to their normal position.
Some cracking and popping scenarios that you need to be wary of include:
Pain – When you experience repeated popping or cracking and it causes you pain then something may be wrong. This is a possible indication that a structural joint problem exists and this needs to be treated.
Locked joint – If the joint becomes locked when it pops or cracks then there is a possibility that something may be caught between joint surfaces. A piece of torn bone or cartilage may be the cause. Once a joint is stuck then it will need to be manipulated to unlock it – and this will cause a pop.
Rupture – If there is a serious rupture of a tendon or ligament then this can create a popping sound. If this happens it can be painful.
Swelling – If you experience any swelling at the site of ‘cracking’ then this needs to be looked at by a qualified health professional.
Arthritis – You may have arthritis in the foot and arthritic joints makes sounds. This is caused by the roughness of the joint surface and the loss of smooth cartilage causing the bone to grind on bone.
(Many people experience pain in the toes and are not sure what is going on. Toe arthritis in caused by inflammation of the toe joints. It tends to attack the big toe more than the other toes. Past injuries or traumas can be reason why arthritis can hit later in life. Other culprits include gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Risk factors include women who frequently wear tight, high-heel shoes, being overweight, increased age and family history of arthritis.)
Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
Bottom line, joint popping usually occurs when a joint is manipulated beyond its normal range of motion yet it is possible for pops and cracks to sound during normal movement of the foot. This should not cause you pain. If it does, and more to the point, if it frequently causes you pain, then you need to seek qualified professional help. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre can help you.
Toes Curl When Walking
Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help evaluate you. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-0419 for more information.