Disorders of the foot Flashcards
toes are all
different to eachother
conditions of the little toe
- Claw toe- imbalance due to neurological abnormalities
- Hammertoe- idiopathic imbalance/ hallux valgus
- Mallet toe- idiopathic
- Curly toe- congenital
conditions of the big toe
- bunions
- big toe arthritis
Mallet Toe
Mallet Toe is flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ)
Hammer toe
Hammer Toe is flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ).
mallet toe and hammer toe are most common in
Both of these conditions are most common in the second toe.
causes of mallet and hammer toe
They are caused by ill-fitting shoes or pressure from the adjacent first toe having Hallux Valgus (lateral deviation of the Hallux). The change in shape of the toe can cause shoes to rub against it and this can lead to painful corns or calluses.
management of mallet and hammer toe
Management options include using inserts or pads to reposition the toe when wearing footwear (this will help to relive pressure and pain - this works best if the toe is still flexible); if this more conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended to straighten/flatten the toe.
claw toe
A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. It often affects all 4 lateral toes at the same time and usually occurs secondarily to neurological damage, trauma or Rheumatoid Arthritis.
cause of claw toe
due to neurological abnormalities
Claw toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and tendons to become unnaturally tight. This results in the joints curling downwards. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including claw toes.
two categories of claw toe
Flexible Claw Toe – where the joints remain mobile and pain is less severe.
Rigid Claw Toe – a fixed deformity that is very painful.
treatment of claw to
Flexible Claw Toe is treated by taping the affected toes/wearing a splint to keep the toes in the right position and performing exercises to maintain toe flexibility.
Rigid Claw Toe is treated with surgery, where the bone is shortened at the base of the toe to give them more room to straighten out.
curly toe
Curly toes is a common condition that affects infants and children and it is present from birth. The condition may become more noticeable as your child begins to walk.
It tends to occur in the third and fourth toes of both feet. The toes curl under because the tendons that bend the toes are too tight and pull one toe under the next toe, curling it towards the underside of the foot, as is seen in the picture above.
curly toe cause
Hallux Valgus
Hallux Valgus is the medial deviation of the first metatarsal, lateral deviation of the hallux and prominence of the first metatarsal head. It is commonly referred to as a ‘Bunion’.
Hallux Rigidus
Hallux Rigidus is osteoarthritis of the metatarsal joint of the hallux.
feature of hallux rigidus
- loss of joint space
- osteophytes
- cysts
- subchondrals clerosis (marble)
Pes Planus
Pes Planus, also known as flat foot, is the collapse of the medial arch of the foot. It is important to note this condition is physiologically normal in children as the arch is still developing.
Charcot Arthropathy
Charcot Arthropathy is the progressive destruction of bones, joints and soft tissues secondary to Diabetes Mellitus. This most commonly occurs in the feet and ankle but is generally considered a rare condition.
