Edit ArticleHow to Deal With Morton's Toe Two Parts:Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Morton's ToeTreating Morton's ToeCommunity Q&A The name "Morton's Toe" derives from American Orthopedic Surgeon, Dudley Joy Morton. It is a common problem in the foot. People with this problem have a second metatarsal (foot bone) that is longer than the first.[1]. The difference in length between the 1st and 2nd foot bones can cause changes in the way you walk and your balance. This condition can also cause long term pain in the foot and other areas. There are ways to treat the symptoms of Morton's toe as well as correct the condition. Look at your foot. If you have Morton's Toe, your second toe will likely be longer than your big toe. A normal foot shape is defined by a big toe that is longer than the rest, with toes 2-5 decreasing in length. You might have Morton's toe even if your second toe isn't longer than your big toe. You should always see a medical professional to diagnose this condition and to discuss treatment options.

Understand the symptoms of Morton's Toe. Morton's Toe can cause debilitating pain and long term complications. Morton's toe causes surrounding bones to be displaced, putting unnecessary weight on the head of the second foot bone. This extra weight bearing causes stress to the bone. This extra weight causes a callus to form underneath the bone. Kohler Tub Spout RemovalA callus is a hard swelling of bone.White German Shepherd Puppies For Sale Essex This callus can cause moderate to severe pain in the foot.Maine Coon Cats For Sale In West Virginia Some people with Morton's Toe have debilitating pain. This can be a strong, aching constant pain or a sharp pain during walking. Know the long term complications of Morton's Toe.

This condition can lead to further problems down the road. Patients with Morton's Toe can have lower back pain, knee pain, and hip pain. This is due to slight changes in the way you walk when you have Morton's Toe. Arthritis is a common problem in people with this condition. This condition can also lead to bunions and hammer toes. Try over the counter pain relievers. These may initially reduce pain and provide temporary relief. These are not a long term solution to this problem. Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Other simple interventions can include keeping weight off of your foot and applying ice to reduce inflammation. These should not be used long-term. If you are experiencing severe, chronic pain you should see a doctor. Consider buying new shoes. New shoes with the right shape and comfort level can help to relieve symptoms. Purchase shoes with wider toe boxes.

This extra room will provide some relief. Make sure your shoes have enough cushioning. Avoid shoes that pinch toes or high heels while treating this condition. See a podiatrist to get special orthotic inserts. This is often the only treatment needed for this conditions. This consists of putting a flexible pad under the metatarsal and toe in your shoe. This pad cushions the area. This changes the weight bearing on the toe and increases range of motion in the foot. Talk to a doctor about surgical options. Only do this if all other treatments haven't worked. Surgery is invasive and there are always risks so it is best to try all other options before resulting to surgery. Surgery can be done to remove a small section of the bone to decrease the length of the second toe and relieve extra weight bearing. Bone shortening is the most common type of surgery for this condition. Other bones in the foot can be lengthened with silicone inserts by a surgeon.

Bone lengthening is not as common as other surgical methods. This type of surgery is more invasive and has more risk for complications. Don't try to medicate or treat this condition yourself. See a medical professional to get a proper orthotic. Don't over medicate with pain killers, as these can cause a number of side effects and health problems down the line.Selecting and Fitting a Running Shoe Running shoes are key equipment for most of us participating in the sport of running. There are several factors that should be considered when you are looking for a new running shoe, but you must always keep in mind that fit comes first. A shoe must fit the shape and design of your foot before you can wear it comfortably or use if for your sport. Below, we'll take a look at fit and function. Factors To Consider When Selecting A Shoe If you have been having no problems in running or racing, it would be hard to recommend a change of shoe. It is difficult, if not impossible to improve upon a situation in which all is going great.

I would advise getting a few pairs of what seem to be your favorite shoes before the manufacturer changes the shoe. Historically, unannounced changes are often made by manufacturers. This can vary from a subtle change in the cushioning around the heel to a major structural midsole change. At times, manufacturers have discontinued a model of shoe, only to resume production a few years later with a line of shoes boasting the same name, but with completely different characteristics. On other occasions, a "classical" shoe reappears, but one is never sure of the relationship between the "classic" shoe and the original. A good way to find information about running shoes is to locate a good specialty running shoe store with a good reputation in your local running community. The personnel there will usually be able to help you with both fit and analysis of the desired shoe characteristics for your foot type and be able to make accommodations for custom orthotics or Over the counter inserts if you use them.

They can also alert you to changes that may occur in the manufacturing of your favorite shoe. If the soles of your shoes have been wearing too quickly they might recommend another model with better wearing soles made of a different sole design using alternative soling materials at key areas. All to often, you have likely worn your current shoe for too long. Failing to replace worn shoes is a major cause of running injuries. Estimates vary, as do individuals, as to when is the best time to replace your running shoes. The usual estimates place the mileage at somewhere between 350 and 500 miles. This means that many individuals should be replacing their shoes before they show major wear. In spite of the lack of wear the shoe will be gradually losing its shock absorption capacity as well as possibly starting to loose some of its stability. Check Out Your Old Shoes Examine the soles of your shoes. Note where wear has occurred. Most people seem to be amazed that their shoes wear at the rear outer corner.

Most rearfoot strikers will wear at this part of the shoe. The reason for this, which someday, somewhere a funded study will prove, is that for most heel strikers it is the point of first contact of the shoe with the ground. Most people walk and run with their feet slightly rotated from center. Runners, however, also have what is called a narrow base of gait. base of gait means that the feet contact close to the midline of your body. This creates additional varus (tilting in) of the limb. This results, for the rearfoot striker, in the first point hitting the ground being the outer corner of your shoe. Forefoot wear may point to an individual who is a sprinter, runs fast, contacts the ground with the forefoot first or all of the above. Uneven forefoot wear may show where one metatarsal is plantar flexed relative to the others or where one metatarsal may be longer than the others. In the presence of significant forefoot wear, you are at risk of stress fractures. Next put your shoes on the table and look from the back of the shoe to the heel.

If your the counter of your shoe is tilted in or bulges over the inner part of your shoe, you might be one who excessively pronates. If this is so, you may want to look for a shoe with more stability or replace your shoe a bit sooner next time. If your shoe tilts to the outside, you may have a high arched foot. This in some cases can lead to ankle sprains and also increased transmission of forces to the leg and back. Sometimes individuals with this type of foot may have lateral knee pain, low back pain and outer leg pain. It will probably be important to make sure that your shoe has a fair amount of shock absorption and is not excessively controlling. Looking at the top of your shoe, you should note if you can see the outline of your toes in the upper or either your large or small toe on either side. If you do and have discomfort in these areas or have had "black toe" you should consider wider or longer shoes or both wider and longer If you have a flexible and pronated foot, you might do better with a board lasted shoe.

But looking for a good counter and a sole that is rigid until the point where your toes attach is an easier empirical way to find a good shoe. This offers resistance to torsion and inhibits pronation. Slip lasted shoes are frequently good for high arched feet. Combination lasted shoes are supposed to offer the best of both worlds: stability in the rearfoot and flexibility in the forefoot. Go to a running shoe store that has a good reputation. Make sure you try on both shoes. Most good stores will allow you to run up and down the block, outside a few times. This is the only way to experience what running will feel like. You should also keep the shoe on your foot for about 10 minutes to make sure that it remains comfortable. Make sure that nothing pinches and that you like the feel of the shoe and your stride. Once you have purchased a new and comfortable shoe, don't put them to the test with a 12 mile long run or decide it is time for 7 miles of speed work around a track. Probably an easy 3 mile run will be sufficient.