Have you ever been told by a doctor, “Everything looks normal,” after describing chronic pain in your big toe joint? The team at Advanced Foot Care of NJ understands that this can be frustrating, especially when your pain is real and impacts your daily life.

Patient education is a core part of our mission and essential to the successful outcomes we deliver every day. With that to guide us, we’ve put together the blog below to explain the ins and outs of X-ray diagnostics. We hope it can provide clarity and peace of mind for those who need it.

X-Rays and Your Big Toe Joint

While standard X-rays are a valuable tool, they sometimes miss the culprit behind big toe pain.

The big toe joint, known as the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP joint), bears a significant amount of weight and pressure with every step.
This constant wear and tear, even from everyday activities, can lead to small cartilage defects that aren’t visible on X-rays.
These invisible injuries can cause significant pain and limit your mobility.

Fortunately, we have advanced diagnostic tools like MRIs that can reveal these hidden problems.

Early Detection Matters!

The fact that there wasn’t a specific injury or an X-ray appears normal doesn’t mean there isn’t an underlying issue.

Ignoring big toe pain can have serious consequences: chronic pain in the MTP joint can lead to pain elsewhere in the foot, knee, hip, or even back.
“Powering through” the pain can worsen the problem and potentially lead to surgery that could have been avoided with early intervention.

Quick Diagnosis = Rapid Recovery

The earlier we diagnose the issue, the sooner we can get you on the path to recovery. Our team offers a range of non-invasive treatment options for big toe pain, from orthotics and physical therapy to injections and bracing, so don’t let “normal” X-rays hold you back from getting the foot pain relief you deserve.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, our doctor and staff look forward to resolving all of your family’s podiatric healthcare needs. We proudly serve the communities of Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!