If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you have something known as Morton’s toe. This is not to be confused with Morton’s neuroma, which is an inflammation of the nerve near the ball of the foot. Morton’s toe is a congenital bone formation, where the first metatarsal, the long bone that connects the toe to the back of the foot, is shorter than the second metatarsal. This causes the second toe to appear longer. The formation may affect the biomechanics of the foot and result in arch pain. Aches and pains in the foot are generated by the way your weight is distributed when you walk, run, or jump. Treatment options for Morton’s toe include stretching and strengthening exercises, certain pain relief medication, and custom orthotics. In more serious cases, surgery may be an option. Because the tip of the second toe sticks out further inside a shoe, calluses may develop. It may help to wear shoes that allow ample room in the toe box to accommodate the longer second toe. For more information, please consult a podiatrist.  

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Elie C. Daniel, DPM of Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Princeton, Peru, and Mendota, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.