Toes can bend if they are subjected to constant pressure, such as from wearing pointed-toed shoes or high-heeled shoes. The ligaments and tendons around the finger joints will bend, resulting in bent and inflamed toes. This injury, commonly referred to as a bunion, is most prone to occur in the big toe. Toes can also bend due to a broken bone and shift when experiencing serious trauma. Various other abnormalities can also affect the shape of your toes. Fortunately, if caught early, you can still realign a toe that is bent due to certain injuries without having to undergo surgery. However, if the problem has persisted for so long, you may need surgery to correct it.
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Method 1 of 4: Diagnosing Toe Conditions
Step 1. Make an appointment with your family doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice that one or more of your toes is bent, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms of pain or inflammation. The family doctor is able to recognize a serious injury (such as a fracture or infection). However, you need to remember that a family doctor is not a bone and joint specialist, so you may need to see a specialist for a proper diagnosis.
- Your doctor may take X-rays of your feet to better understand the problem.
- The doctor may take a blood sample and check blood glucose levels because foot problems are common in diabetics.
Step 2. Ask for a referral to an orthopedic specialist
Orthopedic specialists are able to treat bone and joint problems using corsets, splints, and surgery or other invasive procedures. You may not have to have surgery to treat a bent toe. The orthopedic doctor will properly diagnose the problem, consider the effects of arthritis, and prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics (pain relievers) if needed.
The orthopedic doctor may also take X-rays, scan bones, use an MRI or diagnostic ultrasound to confirm and properly diagnose your foot condition
Step 3. Visit a foot specialist
Foot specialists are also known as podiatrists. Although generally, they tend to prioritize the use of arch supports (orthotics), foot supports, and special shoes, foot specialists are able to provide minor foot surgeries.
- A foot specialist is a trusted source of information to determine the most appropriate shoes for your feet.
- Licensed physical therapists, chiropractors, and naturopaths are also a trusted source of information and alternative natural foot/toe treatments.
Method 2 of 4: Overcoming Bunions
Step 1. Treat the pain
A bunion is a chronic joint injury and inflammation that occurs when the thumb is pushed continuously against the other finger, usually as a result of wearing shoes that are too small or with a pointed toe (such as high heels). Flat shoes can also cause bunions, which are similar to rheumatism and osteoarthritis because they are accompanied by inflammation, redness, and sharp pain. The toes will become more bent and the pain will get worse as the bunion gets worse. As a result, other joint problems occur in the knee or ankle so that you may limp,
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), as well as analgesics (such as paracetamol) can relieve swelling and pain from bunions.
- If your pain is severe, stronger medications may be prescribed by your family doctor or orthopedist (such as COX-2 inhibitors or morphine-based drugs).
- Steroid injections given directly into the joint can be quite an effective way to treat pain and inflammation.
Step 2. Change your shoes
Most cases of bunions occur in women who wear shoes that are too tight. While it may not be possible to get your toe back in shape, replacing such shoes with wider-toed shoes with better arch support can certainly relieve pain and prevent the bunion from getting worse. However, if after stopping wearing high heels you still feel pain and difficulty moving, surgery should be considered.
- You should still be able to wiggle your toes while wearing your shoes.
- It's a good idea to have 1.25 cm of space between the tip of your thumb and the toe of your shoe when standing.
- Sports shoes and walking sandals are generally good choices.
Step 3. Put on a splint
Depending on how long you have had a bunion, placing a plastic, wooden, or metal splint around the sore toe may help reduce pain and straighten the joint. Although determined by the severity of the joint injury, silicone pads or felt worn on the foot or as a shoe pad can also relieve pain from bunions. An orthopedic doctor, foot specialist, physical therapist, or chiropractor can help choose the right splint or orthotic shoe.
- Arch supports and orthotics will restore the shape of your feet to their original shape, improve balance, and even distribution of load throughout the muscles in your feet and toes.
- Massage, gentle stretching, and soaking your feet in cold water can also relieve pain and discomfort from bunions.
Step 4. Consider surgery
Bunion surgery involves removing the bone and/or breaking the bone in a planned manner to straighten it. Wire and bone pins are also often needed to maintain bone position during recovery. Joints that are severely injured will sometimes be fused together or even completely removed and replaced with artificial joints. The goal of surgery is to relieve pain and improve mobility of the foot, not to make the foot look "beautiful" or allow high heels to return. If high heels or pointy-toed shoes are reused after surgery, the bunion will likely reoccur.
- Bunion surgery is an outpatient procedure. After the operation is complete, the leg will be wrapped in a large compression bandage.
- It usually takes 6 weeks for the bone to heal, so you may need to wear protective shoes for at least 6 weeks after surgery. During that time, try not to walk too much.
Method 3 of 4: Coping With Bone Shifts
Step 1. Straighten your toes
Displacement of bones in the toes is a common injury, either by accident (such as tripping) or intentional (such as kicking a ball). Displaced toes are painful and appear bent, but they usually don't break. Seeking help from a doctor, orthopedic doctor, or chiropractor to straighten the displaced toe bone manually is the most appropriate choice. The pain usually subsides soon after.
- Displaced bones rarely return straight on their own without medical help.
- The longer the displacement of the bone is allowed, the greater the chance of permanent damage to the ligaments and/or tendons. Thus, seeking help immediately afterwards is very important.
Step 2. Provide support until your toe heals
Once the joints in your toes are straightened, you'll need to support them with a strong medical splint or bandage to keep the ligaments and tendons in place from the injury. As a result, a newly straightened toe may be unstable for several days until the surrounding connective tissue is restored.
Consider making your own splints from ice cream sticks and duct tape
Step 3. Strengthen your toes by exercising
As soon as your toes are straightened and stabilized again, you should strengthen them with certain exercises. Using your toes to lift cloth or objects off the floor can be used to strengthen the muscles and tendons of your toes and feet.
- Consult your doctor before starting any exercise, especially if you have certain ailments such as arthritis or diabetes.
- If these exercises don't work or are too strenuous for you, see a physical therapist or podiatrist for specific help.
Method 4 of 4: Overcoming Other Disorders
Step 1. Solve the hammer finger problem
Hammer finger, also known as hammertoe, is a deformity of the index finger, middle finger, or ring finger of the foot due to contraction (shortening) of the proximal joint, resulting in a curved, hammer-like appearance of the finger. Hammer fingers are usually pliable at first, but will become stiffer if not treated properly. Hammer toe is caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or too small, or from wearing high heels that puts weight on the toe muscles.
- Hammer finger can be treated with surgery (cutting and stretching the shortened tendon, then placing a pin or metal wire to support it), or daily heavy stretching exercises. Splints and braces are also effective against hammer finger.
- Massage around the toes with your fingers, then manually pull (stretch) the arched finger and hold it for a few seconds. Do this exercise several times a day for a few weeks until the condition improves.
Step 2. Solve the claw finger problem
Claw toe is a curved toe due to contraction (shortening) of the proximal and distal joints until the tip of the toe grips the sole of the shoe. An annoying thickening of the skin will form on the tip of the arched toe. Toes can be caused by wearing shoes that are too small, as well as diseases (such as diabetes) or certain conditions (tendon contractions).
- Claw finger can also be treated with a similar operation to hammer finger, which is to cut and stretch the shortened tendon.
- Try walking on the tips of your toes, so the shortened tendons/joints will stretch.
Step 3. Solve the mallet toe problem
Mallet toe is similar to claw finger, but the problem is only in the distal joint (the joint at the tip of the toe). Mallet toe is generally caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or high heels. Wearing shoes like this causes your toes to bend unnaturally.
- Mallet toe can also be treated with surgery similar to hammer and claw toe, through cutting and stretching the shortened tendon.
- Try to spread your toes when walking barefoot. Wearing assistive devices between the toes can also help correct this anatomical deformity of the foot.
Tips
- The most common symptoms accompanying a bent toe include toe pain (often painful and/or burning), swelling and redness, thickening of the skin, shortening of the tendons and toes, and difficulty walking (limping).
- To reduce inflammation in the toe joints, place pads or assistive devices between your toes to prevent them from rubbing against each other.
- If thickening of the skin occurs on bunions, soak your feet in warm water containing Epsom salt for 15 minutes (to soften them) before exfoliating them with a pumice stone. You may have to do this treatment 3-5 times in a few weeks to exfoliate the entire thickened layer of skin.
