12/08/2025
Why Your Big Toe Might Be Hurting and What Gait Has to Do With It
Your big toe joint (1st MTPJ) does a lot more work than you might think.
In a healthy walking pattern, it carries around 50–65% of your body weight at peak push-off. But for some people, that force can rise to 80% or more especially after an injury, with certain foot shapes, or if the way you walk causes prolonged rolling-in (pronation).
Over time, this extra strain can wear down the joint cartilage, lead to stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement plus contribute to osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of persistent big toe pain.
I recently assessed a patient whose big toe joint was painful and restricted after an old injury. My gait analysis showed altered loading patterns, with the joint taking a much higher proportion of the forefoot load. By changing footwear, using a rockersole design, and prescribing custom orthotics, we were able to reduce the stress on the joint and make walking more comfortable.
If your big toe is sore, stiff, or stopping you from enjoying daily activities, it’s worth finding out how much load it’s carrying and why.
Book your gait assessment at https://www.quantumfootcare.co.uk/booking/ to see exactly what’s happening with your feet and how we can help rebalance those forces.
