The feet provide stability, balance, and the ability to propel yourself forward, so it can be especially debilitating when an injury or condition develops in this area. The foot contains 26 bones and 33 joints, as well as numerous tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Any one of these areas can suffer from an issue, including the small bones and tissues of the toes. At our practice, our dedicated foot and ankle surgeons are extensively trained in treating simple and complex toe deformities, and they can help you restore comfort, movement, and quality of life with our leading techniques and technology.
We have provided the following overview on common toe deformities to assist you in your research. If you have questions not answered here, or if you believe you may have one of the described ailments (or another entirely), please contact our office to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help when you’re ready.
- Arthritis
- Bunion
- Fracture/Dislocation
- Hammertoe/Mallet Toe/Claw Toe
- Nerve Abnormalities/Injuries
- Polydactyly/Syndactyly
Arthritis
Arthritis literally means “pain within a joint,” and refers to the inflammation that causes discomfort and stiffness. There are many different causes of and types of arthritis, and the toes can be affected just as the hands and fingers can. Our experienced orthopaedic surgeons can help you diagnose your condition and provide a number of non-surgical and surgical options to address the issue.
Bunion/Hallux Abductovalgus and Bunionette
A bunion is a deformity of the big toe that causes it to angle inward toward the neighboring toe. Recognizable by the knobby bump that develops over time, a bunion can be the cause of pain and functional issues. Bunions are often the result of ill-fitting shoes but can also be genetic. A bunionette is the same condition but occurring in the smallest toe. In many cases a bunion or bunionette can be treated with non-surgical means. Bunion surgery is another option in the event minimally invasive techniques are ineffective.
Fracture/Dislocation
Fractures can be caused by an acute, sudden injury or form as a result of stress over time. Toe dislocation often happens as a result of jamming a toe or hyperextending the toe during recreational activity. Both fractures and dislocations can often be treated non-surgically, but if the condition is more complex, surgery may be recommended to avoid complications with healing.
Hammertoe/Mallet Toe/Claw Toe
Hammertoe, mallet toe, and claw toe are three distinct conditions but can appear similar. Hammertoe is when a toe, usually the second toe although any toe can be affected, is bent at the middle joint. You often see hammertoe with bunions, but it can also happen separately.
Mallet toe is when the bend in the toe occurs at the last joint, the one closest to the tip. It is called mallet toe as the toe has an appearance like a mallet when looking at it from the front.
Claw toe is when the toe curls inward toward the ball of the foot, the joint closest to the foot is bent, the middle joint lifts up and is bent, and often the last joint is also bent, causing the toe to dig into the foot and cause pain.
Conservative, minimally invasive treatment is often helpful and should be tried before attempting a surgical approach. Changing the shoes, using splints and cushions, and practicing toe exercises and physical therapy are some of the common techniques used to address these issues.
Nerve Abnormalities/Injuries
Nerve injuries and abnormalities more commonly happen in the foot, but they can also occur in the toes. Signs of nerve issues include tingling, numbness, burning, weakness, and pain. Diabetes can also result in complications to the feet and toes, and this can have similar symptoms. If you notice any tingling or other effects in your toes, you should contact your primary care physician or our office to determine the cause, as it could be serious.
Polydactyly/Syndactyly
Polydactyly refers to extra digits, in this case toes. The extra toe is usually near the great toe or the smallest toe. Other deformities may also be present, but this condition can also occur by itself. If the extra digit does not bother the patient, it can be left alone. If the extra toe causes discomfort, physically or psychologically, it can often be removed. This operation can be performed when the patient is as young as nine months in many cases, or as an adult if it was never treated or becomes a problem.
Syndactyly is when two digits are fused, and this can happen with any of the toes, including occurring across multiple toes. As with polydactylies, other abnormalities may occur elsewhere, or they may not. Some cases of syndactyly are simple and require separation of the soft tissues alone. If bone is involved, the operation may be more complicated but typically can still be achieved successfully.
To learn more about common toe deformities, or to schedule a consultation, please reach out to our skilled medical team to discover the difference our compassionate approach can make.