The front of our feet normally contains five toes called phalanges, connected to five bones called metatarsals. The feet not only give us stability and a foundation to stand on, they can also help reveal things about our health, and if we may have any conditions such as diabetes.
There are many different health conditions and factors that can occur, and affect the toes. The toes can have skin, bone, soft tissue, and circulatory problems, which can affect your ability to walk. Although, toe problems can cause chronic or acute pain, these symptoms don’t always arise, so, it is important to see a specialist right away if problems continue to persist.
In particular, people with diabetes or arthritis should have a foot care routine to avoid potentially serious problems. Osteoarthritis may cause issues such as bunions, whereas rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation in the foot joints, leading to calluses, ulcerations, and even deformities of the toes. In other words, the longer you wait to be treated for problems affecting the toes, the harder it will be to treat, and further complications from one condition to another may occur.
Conditions that can cause toe problems include:
- Athlete’s Foot
- Fungal Nail Infection
- Bunions
- Callus
- Corns
- Ingrown Toenail
- Broken Toe
- Sprain or Strain
The human foot is designed so that the toes are spread and extended, allowing for optimal balance and stride. Toes become misaligned for a number of reasons. This may mean that there is an imbalance between the muscles in the toes small joints.
Foot problems can happen as a result of improper care, and affect your quality of life. They can limit your mobility, limit participation in daily life activities, and force you to live with unnecessary pain. The other common causes of foot and toe pain include nerve damage, aging, poor blood circulation, conditions such as diabetes, and poor fitting/unsupportive shoes. Walking barefoot can also cause a host of issues.
Toe correction surgery can fix your toe problems and relieve pain.
Steps of toe correction surgery include:
- Lengthening the tendons on the top and/or bottom of the toe
- Releasing and stabilizing the joint at the base of the toe (metatarsophalangeal joint)
- Fusing (stiffening) one or more of the small joints of the toe (interphalangeal joints)
- Toes are often held in place with a wire that remains in the toe for six weeks
Fixing your foot and toe problems with toe correction surgery can have a positive outcome, and even correct other complications affecting other areas of the body. Getting treatment early can result in improved strength and flexibility in the toes, better balance, less pain, and reduced risk of arthritis, as well as better mobility.
At OrthoUnited, our surgeons use state-of-the-art procedures to treat a wide range of foot problems. If you’re suffering needlessly from a foot disorder, talk to our expert team, and get the care you deserve. For specialized orthopedic care, call OrthoUnited today at (844) 469-2663 or for a consultation, use our online appointment request form.