Overlapping toes is usually a congenital deformity that causes one toe to lie on top of another toe. It most often occurs with the little toe, but the middle toes can also be affected. Sometimes overlapping toes develop as the result of other foot conditions. High arches and flat feet (two conditions that change the way children distribute weight on their feet)

Overlapping toes is usually a congenital deformity that causes one toe to lie on top of another toe. It most often occurs with the little toe, but the middle toes can also be affected. Sometimes overlapping toes develop as the result of other foot conditions. High arches and flat feet (two conditions that change the way children distribute weight on their feet) often lead to little toe being pushed up on top of its next-door neighbor.

Ill-fitting shoes can sometimes lead to the deformity in adults. If a person consistently wears a shoe with a narrow toe box, the toes will be squeezed together and forced to overlap. Overtime, this positioning of the toes can become permanent so that even when going barefoot the toes are frozen in this unnatural condition. Bunions (big, bony protrusions that develop at the base of the big toe) can also lead to the overlapping of the other toes. The bunion pushes the big toe inward, and the other toes are forced to compensate sometimes by sitting on top of each other.

Complications of overlapping toes include pain, irritation of the skin as well as blisters and calluses forming between and on the tops of the toes. The joints and bone structure of the toes become altered.

Most podiatrists recommend non-surgical treatments. The first step is to accommodate the deformity. This means shoes should have wide and deep toe boxes that will help to reduce pressure and friction on the toes. Sometimes podiatrists recommend simple orthotics such as gel toe caps, toe combs or toe straighteners that help to keep the toe in its proper position.

When the deformity is congenital, treatment can begin very early in a child’s life. Stretching and taping of the toes is common during infancy. This, of course, does not guarantee that the deformity will be corrected. In fact, full correction of the deformity rarely happens. The goal is to correct the deformity as much as possible while the child is still a stage of development and the deformity is not yet fixed. In rare cases, surgical treatment is required. A podiatrist will release a tendon and soft tissue at the base of the affected toe. If the deformity is severe, a pin may be used to hold the toe in the corrected position. This pin will remain in the toe for approximately three weeks. Once it is removed, the affected toe may need to be splinted.

Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.

Related posts:

1. Toe amputations may be necessary for several reasons. Infection is perhaps the most common cause for infection and is often associated with foot problems relating to diabetes. In addition to infection, toes may need to be amputated due to trauma, loss of blood supply (a condition formally referred to as ischemia) or nerve injury. Sometimes toes are amputated due to a foot deformity. Infants can Toe amputations may be necessary for several reasons. Infection is perhaps the most common cause for infection and is often associated with foot problems relating to diabetes. In addition to......
2. It is sandal season again and that means all of us out there who are less than thrilled with the shape or look of our feet will be subtly tucking our sandal-clad appendages beneath lawn chairs or cramming our feet into tennis shoes. One of the most common causes of foot-related embarrassment is a deformed toenail. Deformed toenails are most often caused by fungal infections. It is sandal season again and that means all of us out there who are less than thrilled with the shape or look of our feet will be subtly tucking......
3. A surprising number of Americans have feet that are two different sizes. Some studies estimate the number is upwards of sixty-percent. Many of these people can get away with fitting both feet into the same size shoes. If the feet are just a half-size apart than both feet should be able to comfortably fit as long as you are careful to avoid A surprising number of Americans have feet that are two different sizes. Some studies estimate the number is upwards of sixty-percent. Many of these people can get away with fitting......