Common Afflictions – Digital Disorders
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Digital Disorders and Treatments
Corns, Calluses and Pain May Indicate Joint Problems Many disorders can affect the joints of the toes, causing pain and preventing the foot from functioning as it should. People of all ages can have toe problems, from infants born with deformities, to older adults with acquired deformities.
The major culprit of toe deformities in adults is tendon imbalance. When the natural function of the foot is disrupted (through a variety of causes), the tendons may stretch or tighten to compensate. Thus, people with abnormally long toes, flat feet or high arches have a greater tendency to develop toe deformities.
Arthritis that slowly destroys the joint surface is another major cause of discomfort and deformity. Toe deformities also can be aggravated by restrictive or ill-fitting footwear worn for a prolonged amount of time. Or, problems with toe position may occur if a fractured toe heals in a poor position.
Common Deformities
The most common digital deformities are hammertoes, claw toes, mallet toes, bone spurs, overlapping and underlapping toes, and curled toes.
These deformities may or may not be painful. Corns and calluses – a buildup of skin on the affected joint, often associated with bursitis (inflammation of small pouches, called bursas, which lie above the joint between the tendon and skin) – are perhaps the most noticeable and bothersome symptoms. If deformities are left untreated, the toe’s mobility may become limited, and more serious problems, such as skin ulceration and infection, may develop.
Hammertoes
A hammertoe may be flexible or rigid, and may occur on any of the lesser toes. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to buckle, cocking the toe upward. Shoes then rub on the prominent portion of the toe, leading to inflammation or bursitis. Corns and calluses soon form. During the early stages, a hammertoe remains flexible, meaning it will straighten when pressure is applied to the buckled area. As time passes, the toe can become permanently buckled or rigid, requiring surgery for correction. Painful calluses on the bottom of the foot may accompany rigid hammertoes because of pressure generated on the joint.
Mallet Toes and Claw Toes
Mallet toes and clew toes are similar in appearance to hammertoes, but joints at different locations on the toe are affected. The joint at the end of the toe buckles in a mallet toe, while a claw toe involves abnormal positions of all three joints of the toe.
Bone Spur A bone spur is an overgrowth of bone that may occur alone or along with a hammertoe. Pain, corns and calluses are the major symptoms. Left untreated, a bone spur may eventually be accompanied by bursitis or small skin ulceration.
Overlapping and Underlapping Toes Any one of the toes can overlap or underlap, pushing on adjacent toes and causing irritation. Overlapping or underlapping of the fifth toe is a common congenital problem that is easily corrected in children. Bunions can cause the second toe to overlap in adults.
Pain, inflammation and small corns or areas of built up tissue may result. This deformity also can interfere with the normal function of the foot, and if left untreated, may lead to enlargement of bone or bone spur formation.
Treatment for Toe Deformities
Any toe problems that cause pain or discomfort while walking should be given prompt attention by a podiatric surgeon. Ignoring the symptoms can aggravate the condition, and over time may lead to an infection, a breakdown of tissue or ulceration. For people with poor circulation or an underlying medical problem, loss of the toe is possible.
Recommended treatments will vary depending upon the severity of the condition.
Conservative Treatments
For people who have minor discomfort, less advanced conditions or are unable to undergo surgery, the symptoms may be treated conservatively (without surgery). This usually involves: Trimming or padding corns and calluses.
Wearing supportive orthotics (individually fitted plastic or leather inserts) in shoes. This helps relieve pressure on toe deformities and allows the toes and major joints of the foot to function more appropriately. Splints or small straps to realign the toe. Wearing shoes with a wider toe box.
In certain cases, anti-inflammatory medications may be injected to relieve pain and inflammation. Medications have proven to be successful in relieving the discomfort associated with bursitis. Unfortunately, conservative treatments provide only temporary relief of symptoms – they do not correct the deformity.
Surgical Treatments
When the deformity is painful or permanent, surgical correction is recommended to relieve pain, correct the problem and provide a stable, functional toe. Some of the most common surgical procedures are described below.
Depending on health status, surgery may be conducted on an outpatient basis at the surgeon’s office. The procedures are usually comfortably performed under local anesthesia or with intravenous sedatives administered by trained anesthesia personnel.
Tenoplasty and/or capsulotomy refer, respectively, to the release or lengthening of tightened tendons and ligaments that have caused the joints to contract. In some flexible hammertoe cases, the toe straightens out after these soft tissue structures are lengthened or cut and relaxed. Surgery relieves pain and improves the toe’s mobility.
Tendon transfer, another treatment for a flexible hammertoe deformity, involves the repositioning of a tendon to straighten the toe.
During bone arthroplasty procedures, some bone and cartilage is removed to correct the deformity. A small portion of bone is removed at the joint, eliminating pressure on the toe, relieving pain and straightening the digit. The tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint also may be reconstructed. Multiple digits can be operated on simultaneously in certain cases.
Derotation arthroplasty is a variation of arthroplasty used to realign the toe. A small wedge of skin is removed and the toe is properly positioned. The surgeon also may remove a small amount of bone, and will repair the toe’s tendons and ligaments.
Implant arthroplasty is similar to arthroplasty in that a small portion of bone is removed. A silicone rubber or metal implant specially designed for the toe is inserted to replace the gliding surfaces of the joint and to act as a joint spacer. Implant arthroplasty helps maintain toe length while relieving pain, and realigning and stabilizing the joint. Implants may be recommended when previous surgery has left the toe improperly positioned or without skeletal support.
Fusion of the toe is most often used to correct toe fractures or, like implant arthroplasty, to increase the stability of the toe after arthroplasty. After the bone ends are removed, they are positioned together and compressed so that the bones unite.
Fusions may be stabilized with a stainless steel pin as the bone heals. Care must be taken to avoid any impact that would damage or break the pin after surgery. Pins typically remain in place for approximately five to eight weeks.
Care After Surgery
Some swelling, stiffness and limited mobility can be expected following surgery, sometimes for as long as eight to twelve weeks.
Keeping the foot elevated above heart level and applying ice packs will help reduce swelling during the first few days after surgery. Many people can walk immediately afterward, although the podiatric surgeon may restrict any such activity for at least 24 hours.
Wearing a splint or surgical shoe for the first two or three weeks after surgery is recommended. The shoe protects the foot and helps properly disperse body weight. Stitches, if present, must be kept dry until removal – generally seven to ten days following surgery. While these are some of the most commonly prescribed treatments for digital disorders, others may be used. The podiatric surgeon will determine which treatment is likely to be the most successful in each case.
© 1994-2009 The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons