Morton’s toe is a condition of the foot where the second toe is longer than the first one. About 15% of the total population on earth has this anomaly. It isn’t a serious medical condition, but in certain cases, it could lead to severe pain and complications in Glendale CA or Palo Alto CA.
HOW CAN MORTON’S TOE BE A DISADVANTAGE?
When the second toe is longer than the first one, pressure could be distributed unevenly on the foot when the person walks or runs. The foot would touch the ground differently and excessive pressure would be applied on the ball of the foot right behind the second toe. This could lead to further complications such as the arch of the feet going flat, the ankle slightly turning inwards, hammer feet, bunions, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, etc. Most doctors agree that the longer the second toe, the greater the complications could be.
MORTON’S NEUROMA
The most commonly encountered problem by people with Morton’s toe is Morton’s Neuroma. It is a condition where the nerves in between the toes sustain an injury, leading to inflammation and pain. Some of the other causes of Morton’s Neuroma are wearing footwear of improper size, high heels, sports injuries, excessive stress on the feet, etc.
SYMPTOMS
Some of the commonly experienced symptoms are as follows:
- Sharp pain in the ball of the feet
- Inability to walk properly
- A weird feeling in the feet as though you’re stepping on a pebble
- Tingling sensation in the toes
- Numbness
HOW CAN MORTON’S NEUROMA BE TREATED?
The treatment for Morton’s Neuroma varies according to the severity of the condition. There are a few conservative techniques that can be used to treat it, which are safe, painless, and noninvasive. Chiropractic treatment usually provides instant relief as the doctor makes subtle changes to the alignment of the bones and nerves in the feet. This helps to free the nerves off the pressure and allows them to function aptly, thereby getting rid of the pain and the numbness.
Post-treatment, choosing the right footwear becomes highly important. It is advisable to buy shoes that have a gap of at least an inch between the second toe and the tip of the shoe. This ensures the toe isn’t at risk of being pressed against the inside of the shoe under pressure. Also, one must avoid physical activities like running, trekking, jumping, etc. as they may put unnecessary pressure on the nerves of the toe. In case the treatment doesn’t provide relief from the pain, a toe-shortening surgery may be required.
