Big Toe Distal Interphalangeal Joint Pain

Greetings! I've been facing an odd toe pain problem and I can't seem to find anyone else suffering from it. This pain only exists when I'm wearing an aggressive pair of shoes and my toes are curled, even the slightest bit. This does not happen in flat shoes. I have tried numerous brands and sizes, and the pain is always present. Even if the toe box is very loose, I will still feel the pain if the shape of the shoe causes my toes to curl. I feel the pain when either of my big toes are curled and I apply pressure to the tip of the shoe in the direction of the foot. I also feel this pain if I step on my foot while my toes are in a curled position. I feel it in the distal interphalangeal joint (joint closest to tip of big toe). Specifically, I feel it just in front of the joint (towards the toenail) and on the portion of the joint facing inwards (towards other foot). After climbing, I feel the pain for a couple of days. There is zero pain walking or doing other activities. I can also trigger the pain by curling my big toe with my hand and while curled, pressing the tip sort of towards underneath of my other toes.

There is no visual disturbance on my toes and the pain specifically started after I switched to an aggressive pair of shoes. I've switched back to flat shoes and the pain subsides, but as soon as I try on aggressive shoes, the pain returns. Im really stumped about this one. 

Might be a ganglion cyst. Cortisone shot could help if so. If a cyst is surgically removed, apparently 70% recur.
Could be a tear in the joint capsule. Could be an osteochondral defect in the joint.

Doesn't sound like you've seen a foot specialist, but it would be a good idea.

It's in both feet and the pain goes away after a couple of days.

And no, I haven't seen a specialist yet. I was hoping someone else might have experienced something similar. 

I have exactly the same thing, my Pinks cause me pain, my Mythos don't. I have arthritis in my big toes, and so, probably, do you.

Arthritis and inflammation go together, so I am guessing that wearing flat shoes and taking some ibuprofen would help.

I'm currently experiencing same. I'm googling for answers and came across this thread. It's the exact place as yours Sean. It was small and only hurt when you touch it but after being traumatised TWICE yesterday, it began to swell and pulsate moving me to tears. Did you see a doc concerning same and what was your diagnosis may I ask?

Sean hasn't been on the forum since Aug 4, 2018 and unlikely to see your question - you may want to try to send him a private message.

My solution was to just stop wearing downturned shoes. I never was able to determine what the issue was, but lack of aggressive, downturned shoes hasn't been a blocker for me. I switched to Scarpa Vapor Vs and it has been smooth sailing.