Items filtered by date: February 2018
Second Toe Crossing Over the Big Toe?
Capsulitis involves chronic inflammation of the ligaments around the base of the toe joint which composes of the metatarsal phalangeal joint capsule. Capsulitis can occur in any toe joints but most commonly affects the second toe. When the chronic inflammation is not treated, the ligaments over time can weaken causing dislocation of the toe. This is why capsulitis can also sometimes be referred to as predisolcation syndrome.
Capsulitis is a progressive painful condition that gradually worsens if left untreated so early diagnosis and treatment are important. The initial symptoms are swelling and pain at the ball of the foot near the second toe joint, and pain walking barefoot. In later stages of capsulitis, the joint ligaments weaken, leading to failure of the joint to stabilize the toe. The end stage of capsulitis is the toe crossing over as the unstable toe drifts towards the big toe.
Capsulitis is a very common condition that can occur at any age and the following are various conservative treatments for it:
- Rest and ice
- NSAIDs relieve the pain and inflammation
- Taping for the toe to stay in the correct position
- Physical therapy
- Shoe modification and orthotics
Once the second toe begins drifting to the big toe, it will unfortunately not return to the normal correct position. When this happens, your podiatrist may then advise surgical options with you. Some surgeries your podiatrist may discuss with you are to surgically repair a plantar plate tear or a synovectomy to clean out any inflamed synovial tissue around the joint. So call your podiatrist today to prevent or to correct your second toe crossing over the big toe!
Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office
Painful Curved Toenails Growing Into the Skin
An ingrown toenail is a very common nail condition that causes pain, swelling, and warmth at the nail border. As the nail continues to grow into the skin, bacteria can get into the skin and lead to a soft tissue toenail infection called paronychia that results in redness, pus, and a bad odor. Once paronychia occurs, it is important to see your podiatrist as you may be prescribed oral antibiotics to rid the infection and then treat the ingrown toenail. Some risk factors of ingrown toenails are improperly trimming the nails, tight-fitting shoes, or trauma. Your doctor or podiatrist may recommend some at-home care treatment options for ingrown toenails without an active infection such as warm water foot soaks with Epsom salt and wearing proper shoe gear with plenty of room for the toes. However, home care treatments do not address the underlying problem of the ingrown nails and frequently reoccurs.
Often times, your doctor will also perform a minor toenail procedure in the office using local anesthetics to surgically remove the ingrown toenail without pain. If the ingrown nail grows back and becomes a chronic recurrent problem, your doctor may further recommend to permanently remove the offending nail at the nail border. This is called chemical matrixectomy as the nail roots and matrix are chemically destroyed. Partial nail avulsion is one of the most common toe surgeries and is very effective in resolving a painful ingrown toenail.
Your doctor or podiatrist may advise various treatment options as discussed above. So, if you are having painful ingrown toenails, call your podiatrist today to best treat them and to prevent ingrown toenails by learning how to properly trim toenails.
Please visit our website for more information or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with us at our Columbus or Gahanna office
