Why does stubbing your little toe hurt so much?

Everyone has been through the drama of stubbing their pinky toe on something (if it never happened to you, consider yourself lucky). Therefore, we know that the experience is so painful that we may have the feeling that the world is ending. At these times, it is also common to want to hit back the object or the piece of furniture we hit, as if we wanted to take revenge on it.

O awesome.club decided to take on the task of investigating the reasons why tapping the pinky causes so much pain. Also, this post shows when the injury is serious enough to require medical attention.

Our hands and feet are our first physical contact with the world. This requires the fingers to have a large amount of nerve endings, capable of detecting temperatures, textures or even the pressure caused by our shoes. So, the information sensory it is sent to the central nervous system so that we can develop successfully in the environment in which we are inserted.

However, when we tap the little toe, the nerve impulse is sent pain receptors called nociceptors. They are the ones that warn the brain that an external agent can cause damage, a message that is translated into the sensation of pain. Instantly, that intense, sharp annoyance appears. Then comes a second wave of pain that travels more slowly through the body and which, despite being milder, tends to last longer.

Pain is also associated with emotion of the moment. Because of this, irritation and frustration over the injury tend to increase the intensity of the painful sensation. Furthermore, the brain gives priority to information sent by our feet, since the toes are full of nociceptors.

The anatomy and position of the little finger also do not help when it comes to pain in the area. To begin with, the finger is at the end of the body, which represents our greatest lever system. This means that there can be a lot strength in one motion and just as we are able to kick a ball so that it picks up high velocity, we can also feel intense pain when we hit something with our little finger.

The fingers, and the pinky in particular, don’t have enough tissue to absorb the impact. No fat or muscle able to help us in cushioning the blow. There is a very small distance between the bone and the skin, so such an accident means that the kinetic energy generated by the movement is all concentrated in that small and sensitive finger.

Another explanation for pain has to do with an evolutionary perspective. That’s what explains Doctor Christopher Geiser, associate professor and director of the Athletic Training Program at Marquette University, USA.

Before the appearance of cars and even shoes, human beings were forced to walk through difficult terrain, which could cause injuries. Wounds, in turn, when infected, had the potential to cause death, even if as a result of initially minor injuries. So, who had the most sensitive feet was more likely to notice and avoid a danger in time, gaining a evolutionary advantage that was passed on to subsequent generations.

So, if you stub your little finger and feel like cursing, think of everything our ancestors went through so that our bodies are so functional today. Not to mention it’s good to keep in mind that pain means your nervous system is working perfectly.

Despite being intense, most of the time the pain disappears after a few moments. However, in some cases, the blow can cause a more serious injury. And that makes it very important to be aware of the evolution of symptoms.

It is possible that a bone in the foot has suffered a fracture, which requires a medical evaluation. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the following signs:

Pain that does not go away and gets worse over time;

Swelling in the affected toe or the entire foot;

Changes in color, appearance of dark or bluish bruises;

Problems moving your finger;

Pain when walking or standing;

Foot shape changes: the bone appears to be out of place.

Are you one of those people who often stub their little toe? How do you react when that happens? On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate the pain caused by impact? Comment!