The Big toe, great toe, or the medical term "hallux"-whatever you call that first toe of yours - it's an important digit you don't want to injure, because it could turn out to be a bigger problem than you think.
"The important thing to remember is that even though it's just a toe, an injury to the big toe can be a big problem," says Michael Cornelison, DPM, FACFAS, foot and ankle surgeon in Cupertino, CA and Fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. For this reason, medical attention is needed if the symptoms-pain and swelling-don't resolve after a few days.