Other causes and contributing factors may include:
- Flat (rolled in) feet
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Short first metatarsal bone (and hence longer second metatarsal bone)
- Repetitive high-impact activity such as running
- Climbing stairs and similar actions that put pressure on the ball of the foot
Why is my second and third toe separating?
These steps may improve your symptoms:
- Wear good shoes: Choose supportive shoes with a wide toe box. Shoes with shock-absorbent soles and proper insoles can help. ...
- Use shoe pads: Put these over-the-counter pads into your shoe to relieve pressure.
- Use an ice pack: Place an ice pack on your toes to reduce pain and swelling.
- Rest: Try to rest and massage your feet. ...
What causes 2nd and 3rd toes to separate?
This includes the potential for:
- Wound healing problems
- Infection
- Nerve injury to the local nerves that provide sensation to the tips of the toes
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – uncommon
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE) – very uncommon
When your toes start separating?
Other causes and contributing factors may include:
- Flat (rolled in) feet
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Short first metatarsal bone (and hence longer second metatarsal bone)
- Repetitive high-impact activity such as running
- Climbing stairs and similar actions that put pressure on the ball of the foot
Why is my big toe turning outward?
- Rest and ice. Staying off the foot and applying ice packs help reduce the swelling and pain. ...
- Oral medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help relieve the pain and inflammation.
- Taping/splinting. ...
- Stretching. ...
- Shoe modifications. ...
- Orthotic devices. ...
What does it mean if your toes are far apart?
One sign of this instability in the forefoot is toes that spread apart when walking as the ligament is no longer firm enough to hold the metatarsals tightly together. This is a sure sign of a “mushy” foot that can't absorb forces or help stabilize the ankle, knee, and hip.
How do you fix toe spacing?
1:163:42What Are Crooked Toes & How to Straighten Them | Natural FootgearYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver toe socks. Or on bare feet to help realign the toes in the correct anatomical. Position correctMoreOver toe socks. Or on bare feet to help realign the toes in the correct anatomical. Position correct toes toast spacers also encourage the individual toes to start straightening out.
Are your toes supposed to be spread apart?
When you walk barefoot, your toes naturally want to spread apart. The more you walk without constricting shoes, the more your digits want to divide to create a wider, stronger base from which to move. It turns out Lems is not alone in its goal to help humans walk they way they were made to move.
Why is there so much space between my toes?
They're caused by an uneven distribution of pressure on the ball of your foot. This pressure imbalance occurs because the metatarsal (ball of the foot) beneath your second toe falls lower than the big toe metatarsal, which creates a deeper space between the first and second toe than between the subsequent toes.
Does sandal gap mean Down syndrome?
Sandal Gap Deformity Another physical finding in many infants with Down's syndrome is an increased gap between the great and first toes. While this finding can occur as a familial trait, when it occurs in constellation with other features of Down's, it supports the diagnosis.
Should toes be straight?
Is there something wrong with my feet?” Everyones' toes come in different shapes and sizes. Long, short, stubby, curled, straight. Just because your feet are a certain way, doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong.
How do you fix splayed feet?
The possible non-surgical therapies are:Foot gymnastics.Relieving the pressure sores by wearing wide, comfortable shoes.Splay foot inlays.Contrast bathing.Immobilisation, when irritated.Anti-inflammatory painkillers.
Should my toes be touching?
Benefits to touching your toes The overall benefit of being able to touch your toes is having proper flexibility in your hamstrings, calves, and lower back. Being able to touch your toes reflects good flexibility in these areas.
How can I improve my toe spread?
2. Toe lift and spreadSit with your feet flat on the floor.Lift your toes, trying to get them all to the same height.When they're lifted, spread your toes as far apart as possible.Hold for 5 seconds.Relax your toes and lower them back down.Repeat 10 times on each foot.
How much space should be between toes?
Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.
Why do my toes drift apart?
Because the plantar plate ligament is damaged, it won’t be able to maintain the usual alignment at the ball of the foot, and the toes may drift apart, creating that ‘V’ sign.
Why do my toes come out of line?
This is actually something we refer to as the ‘V Sign’, and more often than not, it’s linked to a plantar plate injury at the ball of your foot.
What Causes a Plantar Plate Tear?
Plantar plate tears or injuries occur when this ligament is damaged, usually from too much pressure on the ball of the foot. It usually occurs at the second metatarsal because it’s often the longest, and so takes on the most force when the toes bend during walking. Other causes and contributing factors may include:
What is the plantar plate ligament?
The plantar plate ligament is a thick band which runs across all of the toe joints at the ball of the foot, attaching to and connecting all five toes. The plantar plate works to protect the ends of the metatarsals (long bones of the foot), helps to absorb impact from heavy loads, stabilises the ball of the foot and keeps the joints (and toes) ...
Why do we use strapping?
Often we use strapping to help control the position of the toes, padding to alleviate pressure away from the affected toes, and orthotics to help control the position of the foot with every step to alleviate pressure and address any abnormal foot biomechanics that may have caused the problem in the first place. During your recovery, we’ll talk about your shoes to make sure they’re helping and not hindering your recovery, and we’ll look at what else is going on with your feet, such as bunions, that may be part of the problem.
What causes a flat foot?
Other causes and contributing factors may include: Flat (rolled in) feet. Bunions and hammertoes. Short first metatarsal bone (and hence longer second metatarsal bone) Repetitive high-impact activity such as running. Climbing stairs and similar actions that put pressure on the ball of the foot.
Can plantar plate tears cause tenderness?
Because plantar plate injuries can not only cause a fair bit of tenderness but also interfere with the alignment of the toes which can worsen over time, our team at Perform Podiatry thought we’d get you familiar with the ins and outs of plantar plate tears, so you know what to look out for!
Why does my big toe move closer to my second toe?
This is caused by a gradual separation between the first and second metatarsal bones ( long bones of the foot). These changes in bone positioning are most often due to abnormal foot function.
Why do my toes hurt?
Many of the problems that affect toes are caused by abnormal foot anatomy. Over time, these abnormalities may lead to permanent changes in a toe's appearance, such as a hammertoe or a bunion.
Why do my feet have hallux limitus?
4 . Hallux limitus can be caused by abnormal foot anatomy or a previous history of trauma, such as turf toe or a toe fracture.
What is a tailor's bunion?
Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette) A tailor's bunion or bunionette is a bunion that is present on the pinkie toe side of the foot. Similar to a bunion on the big toe side, this type of bunion also has the characteristic bump, although it is smaller. 2 .
What is a hammer toe?
A hammertoe is an abnormally shaped toe that is pulled back and upward in relation to the other toes. It most often affects the second toe and frequently occurs when there is a bunion at the big toe. 3
Why do flat feet get hammertoes?
People with flat feet are also prone to hammertoes. 3 . Hammertoes are the result of abnormal pulling of foot muscles, which occurs when there is abnormal foot functioning. Wearing high heels and shoes that are too narrow in the toe box may also contribute to forming hammertoes.
Where does tailor's bunion affect the pinkie toe?
A tailor's bunion affects the joint area of the fifth metatarsal bone, where it meets the pinkie toe. It usually causes the following:
Question
I am 78 years old and in good health. My weight is appropriate and my blood pressure good. I walk 2 miles a day. About a year ago I noticed that the 2nd and 3rd toes on both feet were splaying apart. My 3rd toes are turned outward away from my big toes. There is no pain or discomfort, but I am concerned as to why this is happening.
Answer
First and foremost, excellent work in taking such good care of your health. Additionally, you are taking advantage of internet medical advice in precisely the appropriate manner, in that you realize that it should be used hand in hand with "on the spot" physician counsel.
Need more info?
Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment.
What is a narrow toe box?
Footwear with a narrow toe box (toe area) forces the ball-of-foot area to be forced into a minimal amount of space. This can inhibit the walking process and lead to extreme discomfort in the forefoot. Other factors can cause excessive pressure in the ball-of-foot area that can result in metatarsalgia.
Where is the ball of the foot?
Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot-pain) is often located under the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal heads, or more isolated at the first metatarsal head (near the big toe).
Why does my metatarsal head hurt?
With this common foot condition, one or more of the metatarsal heads become painful and/or inflamed, usually due to excessive pressure over a long period of time. It is common to experience acute, recurrent, or chronic pain with metatarsalgia. Ball-of-foot pain is often caused from improper fitting footwear, most frequently by women's dress shoes and other restrictive footwear. Footwear with a narrow toe box (toe area) forces the ball-of-foot area to be forced into a minimal amount of space. This can inhibit the walking process and lead to extreme discomfort in the forefoot. Other factors can cause excessive pressure in the ball-of-foot area that can result in metatarsalgia. These include shoes with heels that are too high or participating in high impact activities without proper footwear and/or orthotics. Also as we get older, the fat pad in our foot tends to thin out, making us much more susceptible to pain in the ball-of-the-foot.
How to treat metatarsalgia?
The first step in treating metatarsalgia is to determine the cause of the pain. If improper fitting footwear is the cause of the pain, the footwear must be changed. Footwear designed with a high, wide toe box (toe area) and a rocker sole is ideal for treat ing metatarsalgia.
What does it mean when you have toes?
Toes like these indicate that you're generally pretty open, but that's there's one specific aspect of your personality that you're shy or secretive about.
What does it mean when your toes are stretched?
If you have stretched toes, that means that the big toe strays far away from the other four, which are clustered together.
What is the shape of a peasant foot?
This shape is also known as the "Peasant Foot, " and means that all five of your toes are practically the same length, with the big toe perhaps just a smidgen longer.
What does it mean when you have a warrior toe?
Toe Type #6: Warrior Toes. If you have warrior toes, that means that your big toe is long, and that your other four toes are almost exactly the same length. This person is the life of the party most of the time, but gets fired up easily over issues that they're passionate about.
What is the most common foot shape?
Toe Type #1: Roman Toes. One of the most common foot shapes there is, the Roman toes arrangement means that the big toe is the longest, and they gradually get shorter as you go down the line. People who have toes shaped like this are blessed with even-keeled, friendly personalities.
What is the foot of a traveler?
This is the foot of a traveler: You can't help but wander and you constantly crave new and exciting experiences.
Which toe leans against the big toe?
People with inclined toes tend to have a gap between their second and third toes, and the second toe will lean against the big toe.
