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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

intermitten burning pain on the side of the big toe

by Kristin
(South Shore, MA)

I have been experiencing a sharp burning pain in the left side of my right big toe for a couple of weeks now. It is right where the big toe meets the foot, right behind and to the side of the big knuckle. I have not had any known damage done to my foot, the foot looks normal, aside from a little redness in that area but no bumps, and it is not clicking.


The pain comes on unexpectedly whether I am walking or sitting down, although it sometimes happens when I bend my big toe downward. It feels like someone is taking a burning hot spike and putting it in the joint area. The pain intensifies and gets so severe it stops me in my tracks. It lasts only a few seconds but the pain lingers for quite a while afterwards.

I have always had very flat feet. So flat in fact, that I can feel the ground on my arch area. At work, which is at a mall with hard concrete floors and a thin layer of carpet, I wear a good shoe called "Klogs" from Work-N-Gear. They have a great cushion with a platform bottom for the hours of standing on my feet at a time. At home I usually walk barefoot, wear sneakers or flip flops. I do not wear heals.

I have not yet gone to the doctor about it, mostly because I was hoping it would go away, but also because I didn't want to spend the money on the co-pay if I didn't have to. I was doing a search trying to figure this out on my own when I found this site. I hope someone can give me some insight as to what might be going on with my pain. Any advice given would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hi Kristin,
The first thing that comes to mind is a bursitis on the inside part of the bone just behind the big toe. That will cause the area to be a little bit red and swollen. You can have this without having a bunion.
The second thing that comes to mind is a nerve irritation that can occur in the same area.
I would think a bursitis would probably give you the kind of pain you are experiencing more that the nerve entrapment, but in either event if this problem has been going on for some time and is not resolving, then you should seek the advice of a podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for intermitten burning pain on the side of the big toe

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May 30, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Intense sudden onset
by: Steven

I suffer the similar symptoms. The pain is located on the outside of the right big toe between the joint and base of the nail. I suspect Sciatica. I slipped in oil and fell on concrete landing heavily on right buttock about 10 years ago. Have had intermittent pain in big toe ever since. Seems to sometimes be triggered by sitting posture. Extremely painful burning stabbing sensation. No swelling or inflammation noted.
Jan 16, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Burning pain left side of big toe
by: Kumar S

I too experiencing the same burning pain since more than 3 weeks. It hurts brutally. I consulted Orthopedic adviced X-ray and uric acid test. My bad luck both came normal study. He adviced to apply pain relief gel and ibrufen tablet. But still the bloody burning pain irritating lot. Please someone tell me what is the diagnosis and treatment????????
Jan 11, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pain
by: Sonja

I am experiencing the same thing. What were the results from the Dr?
Oct 12, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Just the same
by: Toy (Michigan)

Hey Kristen,
I've been suffering with this crazy intense burning pain located in the same area as well. It happens so suddenly that I'm bent over in pain. I've actually applied ice to my foot due to the pain being so severe at times. like you I didn't want to pay a co-pay if it was just nothing. However, I also suffer from sciatica and a slip disk in my back. Basically we have the same work conditions and at this point I just continue to deal my these issues. Until I got struck with this burning toe pain a few years back, my other pains seemed "normal". If possible let me know if you've sought treatment and/or what were the results.

Thanks,
Toy
(Michigan)

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

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University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

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If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


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DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


SITE LAST UPDATED: July 2026




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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Josette

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Arizona
I searched the internet everywhere for a clear description and illustration of my symptoms/problem. https://www.foot-pain-explained.com/ was where I ended my search with answers. If I lived in Jersey (left 30 years ago) and didn't live in Florida I would definetly make an appointment with Dr. Mitnick.

Thanks, Kathy

Florida
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Poland
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South Carolina
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unknown location


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San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



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Debbie

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Chrissy

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Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

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-Sunny.

location unknown



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Jackie

San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

Boston, MA



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Colorado



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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
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Bonnie

location unknown
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Nancie

Wisconsin
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Julie

location unknown
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Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


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Lenoir, NC


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Rustam

Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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