The big toe and the big toe are two completely different conditions that are often mistaken for the same thing due to their relatively similar symptoms. Both are characterized by inflammation that results in redness, swelling, and even pain in the affected toe area, but as you will discover later, there are vast differences in the nature of each of these conditions. To make it easier for you to determine if you have a big toe or a big toe, here is a breakdown of the different areas where they differ significantly.
The cause
Gout is caused by a high content of uric acid in the body that eventually accumulates as crystals in the big toe joint. This is usually caused by a poor diet consisting of fatty and protein-rich foods, as well as regular alcohol intake, leading to inefficient kidney and liver function, two organs that are directly related to production and excretion. uric acid. . As a result, the big toe is commonly seen in middle-aged men who lead an unhealthy lifestyle. On the other hand, turf toe is mainly seen in athletes and those with an active lifestyle and is caused by injury to the tendons at the base of the big toe.
Pain site
In order for you to determine which of the two conditions you actually have, you must identify exactly where the pain is coming from. Both conditions will present swelling, redness and pain, all symptomatic of inflammation, but the pain will present itself in different places. Gout pain is basically localized to the top of the big toe joint, while turf pain is localized to the tendons below the big toe joint. The site of the swelling is also very different, with the former occurring on the top of the foot, while the latter is more evident on the side of the foot or on the sole.
Treatment
Having known the basic differences between the two, it is also important to know that the treatment is very different. The big toe is usually treated with a change in diet and revitalization of the liver and kidney through healthy living. Once the kidneys and liver are working properly, they can efficiently decrease the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream, thus preventing further accumulation of urate crystals in the joints. For turf toe, on the other hand, treatment options depend on the severity of the condition. Ice the swelling site usually helps, but in most cases a visit to a sports injury specialist is required. A toe brace may be needed, as well as different rehabilitation and strengthening exercises.