Toe Deformities Treatment
It’s not always easy to realize just how much our toes move until a toe deformity shifts them out of alignment.
And as a toe deformity progresses, that movement – or lack of it – can become more and more noticeable. Stiffness and pain begin to interfere with your activities. Shoes that best accommodate the shape of your toes and feet become harder to find, and may start giving you blisters, corns, calluses, and sores.
At Lakes Foot and Ankle Associates, we provide a wide range of conservative and surgical treatments for patients with many types of toe deformities. We not only help address the symptoms that are already present, but also take steps whenever possible to slow or fully eliminate the progression of future problems.
Below are some of the conditions that we help patients overcome.
Bunions
A bunion is a common deformity found along the inside of the foot and the largest toe.
An instability within the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of the big toe causes the entire toe to shift out of alignment. This causes a large, bony protrusion to form, and the big toe itself will often gradually encroach upon the neighboring second toe.
Similar to a bunion, a bunionette (aka a tailor’s bunion) can form on the fifth toe, along the outside of the foot.
Hammertoes
Hammertoes are common in the second toe but can occur in the third, fourth, or fifth toes as well.
A hammertoe develops when one or more of the toes remains in a curved position when at rest, bending at the middle knuckle. At first, the toe may be flexible and able to be pressed down flat, but the condition can progress over time to the point that the bend becomes rigid and fixed.
As a hammertoe worsens, pain and stiffness are likely to increase. The upper side of the toe is also likely to rub against the inside of footwear, leading to corns and sores.
Hallux Rigidus
Hallux rigidus is a condition in which the big toe gradually loses its mobility over time. The toe becomes increasingly stiff and painful over time, and those symptoms may worsen in cold or damp weather. The joint of the toe may also become swollen or aggravated, and a bump might develop on top of the foot.
Potential causes of hallux rigidus can include overuse of the toe joint, past trauma to the toe, arthritis, and inflammatory diseases. Some people may also inherit a foot structure that is more likely to experience the condition.
Finding Help for Toe Deformities
Some people believe that surgery is the only way that toe deformities can be properly addressed, but that isn’t always true!
In many cases, the bothersome symptoms of bunions, hammertoes, and other conditions can be effectively managed through conservative means such as padding, more accommodative footwear, and custom orthotics, among others. Our primary goals for conservative care are to keep symptoms from interfering with your life and to slow or stop the progression of further problems in the future.
That said, there are cases where conservative treatments will not be enough to provide the results we need, and surgery may become a consideration. That is a matter best discussed with each patient on a case-by-case basis.
The best advice for any toe deformity, though, is to seek professional care and management sooner than later! Even if your symptoms aren’t negatively affecting your life at this time, we can help you keep it that way for much longer than letting the condition progress unabated.
Contact Lakes Foot and Ankle Associates for help with any foot, ankle, or toe troubles you may be experiencing. Call our office in Commerce Township or reach us electronically by filling out our online contact form.
It's Time To Leave Foot & Ankle Pain Behind!
*NOTE: Appointment request times are not guaranteed, nor do they constitute a scheduled appointment. Once you submit your request, a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your appointment time. For your safety and privacy, please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI) through the contact form found on this page.
Phone Number
Location
9640 Commerce Rd Suite 102 Commerce Township, MI 48382
Hours
| Monday | 8:30am – 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am – 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am – 6:00pm |
| Friday | By Appointment |
| Saturday | - Closed - |
| Sunday | - Closed - |
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