Morton's toe?

[Tiam]

My second toe is longer than the big toe. I've heard this could lead to problems. Recently my second toe on my left foot is very sore and tender. No swelling or discoloration. No bite or intrusion. But sore as hell!!! Looking it up, I see it fits a description for Morton's toe. I bought expensive shoes at the specialty store for joint pain and they have been helpful. I bought them in the spring after work was done. Now I'm back at work. Still no joint pain but this insane toe pain. In just this one toe. Anyone ever had this issue? I seem to have more foot issue. First the plantar fascitis. Then knee and arch pain. Now this?

[reader99]

I have that. NEVER, ever go barefoot, even around the house. I found relief with Sketchers shapeup shoes and the Champion brand knock off of them. They take the pressure off the base of the toes. But I still can't stand on my feet in one place for long periods, ruling out jobs like cashier.

Many many people have Morton's toe with no problems, but once you get the problem it's very painful.

A friend had surgery for it and was very sorry she did.

When I started doing yoga the pain reduced a lot, not only in my toes but in my feet knees and hips as well.

[Aqua Blue]

I would second not going barefoot. I keep my shoes with orthodics beside the bed and put them on, even to walk to the bathroom at night.

[CathyA]

Are you referring to a hammer toe that you might get after having morton's neuroma? If so, then I have one too. I've always had feet problems. Its been my achilles heel, so to speak. I had surgery for hammer toes on my left foot about 12 years ago. But after I had knee surgery several years ago, I limped alot. I think the limping caused me to develop a neuroma in my right foot. I chose not to have the surgery for it, but made various orthotics for my foot, which helped take the pressure off that area. What was interesting though, was that all of a sudden, I developed a hammer toe (the one next to the great toe), and the pain went away!
I don't know if the bending of the toe somehow changed the dynamics of the neuroma......but the pain went away. BUT......now I have this hammer toe to deal with. So far it hasn't been a problem, since I don't wear fancy shoes.

Have you had surgery? Do you wear orthotics? Is your toe sticking up in the air at the second joint?

[Tiam]

Are you referring to a hammer toe that you might get after having morton's neuroma? If so, then I have one too. I've always had feet problems. Its been my achilles heel, so to speak. I had surgery for hammer toes on my left foot about 12 years ago. But after I had knee surgery several years ago, I limped alot. I think the limping caused me to develop a neuroma in my right foot. I chose not to have the surgery for it, but made various orthotics for my foot, which helped take the pressure off that area. What was interesting though, was that all of a sudden, I developed a hammer toe (the one next to the great toe), and the pain went away!
I don't know if the bending of the toe somehow changed the dynamics of the neuroma......but the pain went away. BUT......now I have this hammer toe to deal with. So far it hasn't been a problem, since I don't wear fancy shoes.

Have you had surgery? Do you wear orthotics? Is your toe sticking up in the air at the second joint?



I don't wear orthotics. I went to a specialty shoe store, recommended by my physician. The salesman noted my longer second toe and mentioned that it can create problems sometimes. (never had any before.) As far as a 'hammer toe' I'm not sure. It doesn't stick up or curl or curve. The pain is in the joint near the foot. I've seen it in research online as a description of a second toe being longer. I don't know. It doesn't seem different or deformed or abnormal in anyway. Just came up in the last couple of weeks. I was wearing the orthotic shoes from the store, and another that has done well for me in the past: Propet. Both a bit pricey. Then, suddenly, with no warning or other apparent symptoms, this crazy pain. I've stopped wearing the orthotic sneakers. Been switching shoes every day. Some days rebocks. Some days boots. some days slip on nothings, some days the new balance, or propets....that seems to be providing some relief. It's weird. I wear my slippers at all times inside. It's a bit better. Problem is, the orthotics are the ones that give me relief from plantar farsitis and joint pain. If it's not one thing, it's another. Is it time to see a podiatrist? This is nuts.

[lhamo]

Both my second and third toes stick out beyond my big toes, on both feet. I've never had any problem, other than when I started running and ended up with blackened toenails on both of my second toes due to improperly fitting shoes. Why is going barefoot a problem? I go barefoot whenever possible -- hate wearing shoes, actually....

lhamo

[Acorn]

I used to wear orthodics and Birkenstocks all the time - the arch support was so comfortable. But I did a little research and learned that often times wearing orthodics or shoes with extra support can actually weaken your foot muscles over the long term. I started going barefoot whenever I was in the house and started wearing less supportive shoes and though it was uncomfortable initially, in the end my feet became stronger. Depending on what foot issues you have going barefoot can be beneficial.

[Rogar]

I have slight hammer toes, plantar fascitis that comes and goes, and maybe Morton's toe, as my second toe is longer. I bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, which is basically like going barefoot with a pad to avoid injury from sharp objects and can be worn outdoors. I wear these for walks and some light jogging and sometimes around the house. I actually think there is something to freeing you toes from the confines of shoes and strengthening the foot. It's a little counter inuitive from traditional foot doctor advice.

There's a fair amount of web information on barefooting if anyone is interested.

[CathyA]

Oh shoot.........I misread your first post Tiam! I thought you said something else. So please disregard everything I said!
But my DH has a longer second toe. The only problem it gave him was when he was a runner. His toenail would always turn black and fall off.
You should probably always wear thick toed socks.

I've had a ton of foot problems in my life. I found a good podiatrist and he helped alot........although he couldn't seem to help with my last problem of relieving a morton's neuroma without surgery. But here's my educated guess about your foot:

If you're having plantar fasciitis, your tendon is probably contracted. There's 2 things that will help that: An orthotic with a high arch and a metatarsal arch. These things will take the forward pressure off the toes and distribute the weight more evenly. Secondly, learn the exercises that will stretch that tendon. Google "stretching the achilles tendon" and you'll probably get lots of images to look at.

I use a little platform (an old, short desk drawer). I set it on the floor in front of my dresser. I put my feet (with shoes on) halfway up onto it and lean forward a bit. This really stretches that tendon. Do this several times, a couple of times a day for at least 30 seconds each stretch.
Your calf muscles could be tight too, so from the same position, lower yourself at your knees until you feel a real stretch in your calves.
Tight tendons can cause alot of problems. People really under-estimate the power of stretching!
Can you ask around if there's a good podiatrist locally?

Are you positive the pain is coming from your toe......or is coming from the ball of your foot, right under the toe?
I know how painful foot problems can be. There were times when I could barely even walk.
You may also need a shot of cortisone and/or take NSAIDS for a short time to get this pain under control.
Also.......its fine for you to play around with orthotics to tweak them. I have added more padding to my metatarsal area and the heel area in the past (I buy "WalkFit orthotics". They are a decent over-the-counter orthotic. they cost about $20 at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond.

I really believe the right orthotic in combination with stretching your achilles and calf tendons/muscles will help alo.