Toe Surgery
Types of Toe Surgery
They are many kinds of problems or injuries to the foot that many require toe surgery. Some of these can be inherited disorders or acquired problems. The toes are very important to the foot and the rest of the body for standing and walking, and toe problems can disrupt the ability to walk or stand. Painful toe problems should be checked out by a doctor to help with treatments and to understand their underlying causes.
If you are experiencing problems with your toes, especially if these problems cause pain or discomfort and interfere with your ability to walk to stand, then a trip to the doctor is probably warranted. Severe cases may even require a trip to a specialist. Many toe problems are caused by simple things such as improperly fitting or constrictive shoes. Some inherited disorders may get worse as time passes. Injuries to the feet may also cause problems that may require surgery to fix them or allow them to heal. There are also more serious conditions that may cause problems. Serious problems can only be diagnosed properly by a doctor.
A podiatrist or foot specialist may determine that toe surgery may be best cure for foot troubles. Some of the most common problems that may require toe surgery are listed here. Bunions are an enlargement of the tissue and bone surrounding the big toe joint. These may be uncomfortable and unsightly, and surgery may be required to fix them. Another problem is bone spurs, or pain and deformity under the toenail. This is caused by the bone under the toenail overgrowing and placing pressure on the nail. This problem often requires surgery to repair it, as does Neuromas, or nerve irritations of the 3rd and 4th toes.
Another major toe issue that often requires surgery falls under the category of toe deformities. These deformities are caused by imbalances of tendons or joints in the foot and cause the tendons to stretch or tighten abnormally. This can make walking painful and difficult. Toe deformities may require surgery to reconfigure the tendons or joints. Some examples of toe deformities are hammertoes, claw toes or toes that overlap or underlap one another. Most times these types of disorders are inherited conditions. Other conditions that may result in toe deformities are arthritis, flat feet, high arches or abnormally long or curved toes.
Injuries to the feet or toes may also create problems that require surgery. Fractures, crushing injuries, dislocations and stress fractures may all need to be repaired surgically. In severe cases, a problem known as a Jones fracture may cause a disruption of the blood supply to the base of the toe bone. This requires surgery immediately.
Benign bone tumors can also develop in the bones under the toenails. This results in a condition known as Osterchondromas. It often occurs in young children. These are usually not painful, but can cause deformities or ingrown toenails that may need to be cured surgically. Even with surgical treatment, they often recur.
Certain problems with the big toes can lead to surgical treatments too. Hallux Limitus is a condition where stiffness occurs in the big toe. It is caused by the first metatarsal bone behind the big toe growing out of its normal alignment. Hallux Rigidis is an unmovable big toe caused by raw bones rubbing against one another. This occurs because wear and tear has broken down the articular cartilage. This often causes bone spurs to develop. It is painful to walk when you have Hallux Rigidis. Another big toe condition occurs when the big toe begins to point away from the secondary toes and is referred to as Hallux Varus. Many severe cases of these big toe problems may need toe surgery to fix them. Always see a doctor about toe pain or deformities.