Foot Bone or Joint Injury
5th Metatarsal Fracture
Read More >
Pinky Toe Pain or 5th Metatarsal pain refers to pain on the little toe on the outer side of your foot. One of the main functions of your Pinky Toe is to assist with balance and proprioception, but because it is on the edge of your foot, it can make it susceptible to injury. Several conditions can cause Pinky Toe pain, and this article with cover each condition to help you identify the cause of your Pinky Toe pain and how to treat your Pinky Toe Pain.
Conditions That Cause Pinky Toe Pain
Pinky Toe Fracture
A Pinky Toe Fracture, otherwise known as a 5th Metatarsal fracture, is one of the most common types of fracture to the foot. Repetitive stress to the little toe from impact activities can cause a 5th Metatarsal Stress Fracture or a sudden ankle sprain causing an avulsion fracture where the tendon pulls off a fragment of bone from the Pinky toe.
Symptoms include pain, swelling and bruising on the 5th Metatarsal, with pain on weight bearing that improves with non-weight bearing.
Related Articles:
Best Walker Boot for 5th Metatarsal Fracture
Symptoms and Treatment for 5th Metatarsal Fracture
Tailor’s Bunion
A Tailor’s Bunion is the result of the little toe deviating towards the big toe, causing a Bunionette. The term Tailor’s Bunion was coined from Tailors sitting with their legs crossed and the floor that caused the little toe to turn inwards. A Tailor’s Bunion can be caused by tight-fitting shoes, flat feet or poor walking mechanics.
The symptoms of Tailor’s Bunion include pain on the Pinky Toe when walking or running with symptoms worsening when wearing tight-fitting shoes or high heels. There can be a visible change in the position of the little toe with it turning inwards.
Related Articles:
Symptoms & Treatment for Tailor’s Bunion
Best Shoes for Tailor’s Bunion
Best Tailor’s Bunion Correctors
Sprained Pinky Toe
A Sprain of the Pinky toe occurs of the little toe is hyperextended. If this occurs in the big toe, it is known as Turf Toe. A Little toe sprain can occur if the toe gets caught in something and gets pulled upwards, often when barefoot or in flip-flops.
Symptoms of a Sprained Pinky Toe include pain and redness around the joint with increased pain on hyperextension of the toe.
Treatment typically includes taping, rest, ice and anti-inflammatories, while a stiff shoe can be helpful.
Corns on the Pinky Toe
A corn is a small area of harder skin that grows inwards like a cone, causing pain when pressure is applied to the area. A corn can develop on the pinky toe if excess pressure is being placed on the toe over a long period of time.
Common causes of corns on the little toe include wearing tight-fitting shoes or high heels resulting in the toes rubbing off each other and forming a corn. Symptoms include pain on applying pressure to the corn and pain when walking.
Treatment for a corn can be carried out at home with regular use of a pummel stone. If this is unsuccessful, a chiropodist can remove the corn for you.
Physiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice and we recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack before trying any of these exercises. James offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments for £45.
Related Articles:
What is a Sprained Toe?
5th Metatarsal Fracture Types
Causes of Outer Foot Pain
How to transition from a walker boot to a normal shoe