Have you ever noticed that both of your second toes on each foot are longer than your big toes? You may have Morton’s toe. Morton’s toe is a condition that’s commonly described as having a long second toe. However, it’s not really your second toe bone that’s longer than average; it’s your big toe that’s shorter than normal. It’s a very common condition, affecting about 45% of men and 40% of women, according to one study.
Despite its commonality, Morton’s toe can actually cause other problems with the feet. It may not have any noticeable effects for some people, but for others, it can cause pain, limited mobility, and several other conditions. Take a look at the conditions and treatments related to Morton’s toe listed below.
What are some foot conditions related to Morton’s toe?
There are a few types of conditions related to the foot that may occur in someone who has Morton’s toe. Take a look at those listed below, as well as their descriptions, to determine if one may apply to you. If you find that any of these conditions sound like something you may be dealing with, you may want to speak with a physical therapist to discuss the effective treatment for you.
- Hallux valgus — Hallux valgus is a foot condition that is more commonly referred to as bunions. It’s a condition that occurs when the big toe pushes against the toes next to it. It results when the bone at the base of the big toe joint pushes the top toe bone inward toward the other toes. It’s most often recognizable by a prominent bump or protrusion from the side of the foot near the base of the big toe joint. Bunions have the potential to cause pain and stiffness, but may not prompt those symptoms for everyone.
- Neuromas — Neuroma is another condition that affects the foot. It’s characterized by a growth or tumor containing nerve tissue. It’s usually benign, meaning noncancerous, and develops in between the third and fourth toes in most cases. Those who develop a neuroma in their foot often report experiencing pain, tingling, burning and even loss of sensation in that foot. It can make walking feel difficult and painful.
- Hammer toes — Hammer toe, also known as rotated toe, can be described as a condition that involves the joints in the toes becoming abnormally curved. Those who have hammer toe will have one or several toes that curl inward toward the ground. This condition is considered a deformity, and it often occurs when someone wears ill-fitting shoes or has a disease like diabetes. It can also occur in cases where a person injures their toe. As a person ages, the toe may curve further inward and even cause pain when walking or wearing shoes.
Each of the conditions listed above is the potential result of having an abnormally long second toe. Morton’s toe may cause any one of these conditions to occur, as well as muscle imbalances, gait and balance problems, and low back pain.
How can physical therapy help with foot conditions caused by a long second toe?
Physical therapy is one treatment method that has the potential to improve any of the conditions above that may develop in association with a long second toe. Take a look at some of the benefits that physical therapy may be able to provide, listed below.
- Strengthen the feet and toes — Physical therapy can potentially protect the tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints in the feet by building strength in the foot muscles. They have the ability to help you develop increased strength in your feet and toes so that you’re better able to use your feet to walk and move with optimal function.
- Reduce pain in the feet and toes — Physical therapy also has the ability to reduce pain in the feet and toes. They are specially trained to help reduce inflammation in areas that may be experiencing swelling and pain. If you’re experiencing pain in your long second toe, they may be able to help reduce it.
- Improve walking ability and balance — Physical therapy may be able to improve your walking ability and balance. A PT specialist can use a personalized treatment plan to work toward improving your strength, reducing pain, and addressing anything else that may affect your gait and balance, like an extra long second toe.
Ready to receive the high-quality level of physical therapy care you deserve? Let Alliance PTP help you find relief for your long second toe
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need.
Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address the condition you’ve developed as a result of having a long second toe. If your long second toe is causing you to experience any discomfort, physical therapy treatment may be able to improve your quality of life.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
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