Overcoming Toe Deformities and Pain

Painful walking. Redness. Swelling.

It’s symptoms like these that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to your toes.

“Toe pain can limit a person’s quality of life,” said Dr. Khalid Shirzad, an orthopedic surgeon in a news release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “When it hurts to walk, that person will start decreasing time spent on activities they enjoy.”

Indeed, a literature review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons showed that early assessment of toe pain is important because many problems can be treated if caught early.

“If the initial problem is not treated, it may lead to further issues such as skin infections, deformities and muscular problems,” said Shrizad, lead author of the review.

Lesser toe deformities are often caused by improper footwear, injury, inflammatory arthritis, genetics and neuromuscular and metabolic diseases such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

The most common lesser toe deformities, according to the AAOS, include: hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes, curly toes, crossover toes and bunions.

Many lesser toe deformities can be treated nonsurgically, according to the AAOS, but surgery may be an effective option if needed.

“The most important thing the public should take from this is to be conscious of your footwear,” Shirxad said. “Well-fitted shoes that do not pinch the foot or constrict the toes can prevent many toe deformities.”

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