Mallet Toe Treatment Clinics in Chicago & Wheeling IL
The Foot & Ankle Specialists at Global Podiatry in Chicago & Wheeling, IL understand that your toes are important to your overall health. As a result, we treat toe conditions, including Mallet Toe Deformity Conditions, in order to prevent toe pain & foot complications from further developing. When you are experiencing pain in your toes that persists, contact Global Podiatry to book an examination immediately.
What is a Mallet Toe Deformity Condition?
Mallet Toe is a foot deformity condition that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons or ligaments that causes one of the toes to bend upward at the first joint. This is most common in the second toe, nearest the big toe but can also occur in the third and fourth toes. The doctors at Global Podiatry will fully diagnose and treat mallet toe conditions with expert precision & care. Depending on the severity of your mallet toe condition, your doctor of podiatry may recommend nonsurgical mallet toe treatment to increase flexibility or in severe cases mallet toe surgery.
What are the Symptoms of Mallet Toe Conditions
(Primary Symptoms that often Accompany Mallet Toe Deformities)
Mallet toe is characterized as a foot deformity condition, in which the mallet toe bends down at the joint, in a fixed abnormal position of one or more of your toes. Patients with Mallet Toe conditions often report symptoms of pain and inflammation or toe nail deformity.
Common Symptoms of Mallet Toe include:
- Foot or Toe Deformity
- Toe Pain & Inflammation
- Difficulty walking
- Stiffness in the joint
- Swelling in the joint
- Redness around the joint
- Toe Sores, Ulcers, or Blistering
- Toe Nail Thickening
- Calluses or Corns
What are Some of the Main Causes of Mallet Toe?
Mallet Toes have various causes, often the cause is related to wearing ill-fitting shoes & foot bone and muscle imbalances or muscles that are especially weak. Mallet toe conditions can develop when a toe is forced into an upward position, repeatedly . If a shoe causes the toe to stay bent upward for long periods of time it can result in the development of mallet toe.
Some of most common causes & contributors of mallet toe conditions may include:
- Foot & Ankle Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Bone and or muscle imbalances
- Toe Injury or Trauma
- Wearing improper footwear
Additionally, trauma or injury to the foot can lead to mallet toe deformities, in some cases, other health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes are known to contribute to the development of Mallet Toes. Normally calluses and corns protect the areas of your feet that work hardest. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and blood flow circulation problems in your feet, ankles, and toes.
As a result, diabetics are at a higher risk of developing complications from foot conditions & deformities, such as mallet toes. When natural healing is impaired, the thicker skin of calluses and corns can sometimes hide ulcers of the foot. When foot ulcers get infected, they may develop, placing your foot at risk. Corns and calluses can result from the toe rubbing against the inside of your shoes, leading to blisters, ulcers or sores that may develop into open wounds, prone to infections.
Common Mallet Toe Surgical Treatment Options
(Is Mallet Toe Surgery the Solution to Your Foot Pain?)
Mallet toes occur due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons or ligaments – that normally hold the toe straight. The type of shoes you wear, foot structure, trauma and certain disease processes can contribute to the development of these deformities. Progressive Problems Lead to Long-Term Pain and Complications. In the early going, you may only notice that your toe looks a little odd and you might not be able to straighten it all the way, but mallet toes are a progressive condition, which means that without corrective treatment the symptoms will not achieve better health. It is very common to live with a Mallet Toe, however, there are solutions for correction. If conservative treatments don’t help, your Podiatric Surgeon may recommend surgery to treat the pain & address the source of Mallet Toe.
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Flexible Mallet Toe – Tendon Transfer Surgical Procedures
A tendon transfer procedure may be utilized to correct the problem by relocating the insertion of a functioning muscle-tendon unit. Performed in order to restore lost movement and function. Repairing the tendons from the bottom of the toe, to the top of the toe where the toe is sticking up, helping pull the bent joint into a straighter position.
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Treat Toe Flexibility Limitations & Fixed Mallet Toe Stiffness
Mallet toe can be prevented by simply wearing shoes that fit correctly and have plenty of space for the toes. For fixed toe problems, certified foot & ankle surgeons often perform surgery on the bones of the feet.
Mallet Toe Deformity – Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Custom Fit Orthotics at Global Podiatry
Doctors of Podiatry may often treat toe flexibility limitations & problems by moving tendons to release joint tension. For people suffering from mallet toes, footwear with a high and broad toe box / toe area are most recommended to prevent future irritation.
- Wear proper footwear with soft, roomy toe boxes — avoid tight shoes and high heels
- Exercises to stretch and straighten the toe
- Limit pain causing activities
- Global Podiatry’s custom fit orthotic devices or shoe insert pads – to assist in the prevention of the mallet toe condition developing & getting worse by:
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- Repositioning your toe
- Relieving pressure
- Assisting in the prevention of the mallet toe condition developing & getting worse.
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Treatment & Prevention of Mallet Toe Deformity Conditions in Chicagoland
However, for more severe Mallet Toe Deformity Condition cases, investing in Doctor of Podiatry prescribed custom fit orthotic devices could be the solution you are looking for. Chicago custom fit orthotic devices designed to reduce friction, relieve pressure, and transfer force from the areas of sensitivity. See more information, here: Custom Fit Orthotics at Global Podiatry.
● Gel toe caps
● Toe shields
● Toe crests
● Gel forefoot support inserts
Gel forefoot supports provide immediate comfort and relief from common forefoot disorders without drying the skin. Other mallet toe non-surgical treatment solutions, include customized shoe insert device supports. Advanced Toe Condition Treatments, custom-made and designed for relieving pressure, reducing friction, and transferring forces from the sensitive areas. Accompanying shoes, with a high and broad toe area, are recommended to prevent future irritation for people suffering from mallet toe conditions.