Hammertoes, etc.

Our feet are incredible structures, and the lesser toes are no exception. Just as your thumb opposes and works opposite the smaller fingers in your hand, the lesser toes of your foot help to balance your body by working opposite from your “hallux” or big toe. Accordingly, in a healthy foot, specialized intrinsic muscles work on specifically the four small toes to allow them to stay aligned and function properly. However-as one might suspect-these toes can experience a unique set of symptoms.
Hammertoes are the most common and well-known digital deformity affecting the lesser toes. They typically will affect a single toe and will cause it to bend such that the first part of the toe is bent upwards, and the second part of the toe (the part with the toenail) is bent downwards. The typical signs and symptoms may include a corn on top of the joint where the toe bends as well as a callus underneath and behind the toe where it bears weight. Common causes of a hammertoe include tight shoes or stockings, biomechanical problems, or simply a long second toe.
A cousin to the hammertoe is the “claw toe” deformity. Whether our lesser toes are healthy or not, they typically consist of three small bones and two joints. With claw toes, not only is the first part of the toe bent upwards, but both the joints in the toe are also bent so that the second part of the toe tends to bend or curl downwards in a claw-like manner. This scenario is often associated with a cavus or high-arch foot type and neuromuscular disorders. It typically affects all the lesser toes at once, and may even affect the hallux.
In a “Mallet toe” deformity, the toe is strait except for the very end of the toe which is bent downwards. This tends to put pressure on the skin at the tip of the toe and will often lead to a callus formation there. The toenail will often become thickened and look as though it has a fungal infection. This condition is commonly associated with a long toe.
Numerous other conditions can also affect the lesser toes. “Curly toes” will typically bend downwards and underneath adjacent toes. They will often occur simultaneously on both feet. An overlapping 2nd toe will bend back and over the hallux, while both the 4th and 5th toes can be affected such that they may bend and rotate beneath the adjacent toes. Finally, a “floating toe” is commonly observed in a congenitally short toe which cannot purchase the ground.
Of course, each of these conditions has a unique set of symptoms, prognoses, and treatment options. Visit your podiatrist for an in-depth evaluation and discussion.


Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com