An introduction to overlapping toes - By: MariaSh

Overlapping toes, apart from looking a bit unattractive also cause pain while walking. It is a problem when one toe overlaps the neighboring one, occurring mostly between the fifth and the fourth toes. It generally occurs in children who have flat foot. Children with flat foot walk a little differently from normal because the body weight is not spread uniformly over the foot. The outer parts of the foot tend to get pressed more which causes the last toe to jump and press itself on top of the fourth toe. An orthotic physician is the best person to be consulted in the matter. The foot ailment gives the one of the main reasons for a painful foot condition. Though it may develop in the childhood, if left unattended the abnormality will continue through the entire lifespan of the person and it will be a painful experience all through.

People of all ages can get the affliction, even if they do not have flat foot. This is the result of not taking care to choose properly fitting shoes. Ill fitting shoes, apart from the pain they cause because of the faulty fitting, also causes so many foot problems like overlapping toes. Very pointed shoes with very little room for properly accommodating all the five toes comfortably will certainly cause overlapping toe to be developed. This development can also take place if some complaints on the foot are left unattended. Examples are swellings at the first joint on the big toe, projections from the end of the big toe. Inadequate space in the toe region of the big toe pushes the two outward toes inwards and as a consequence this problem occurs. It may happen to two of the toes inside also.

The overlapping is accompanied by severe inflammation and pain. The usual tendency for people is to not attend to problems relating to the foot in the initial stages, considering them to of not very serious. But the pain, causes discomfort while walking and therefore the person may think of taking some action to attend to it either at home or by going to a doctor. Unattended overlapping toe will also be the reason for some other afflictions. Thickening of the skin and tissue in the toe region is one of the consequences of not attending to this foot problem in time. A pain is caused by the abnormality that comes about in the structure of the bones of adjacent toes.

The simplest form of treatment of this condition without consulting a doctor is to change the shoes and go for shoes with a broad front, which will give sufficient space for all the toes to be accommodated comfortably. Specialists in foot treatment treat overlapping toe, in a variety of props, caps, dividers etc. All these devices are meant to restore by force the overlapping toe to its normal position. As a consequence there is no friction between toes and the pain is removed. Surgery is not recommended usually.

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