TOES
MORTONS NEUROM
What is Morton's neuroma?
Also known as Morton's neuralgia or metatarsalgia. In Morton's neuroma, there is an irritation and thickening of a nerve in the front of the foot. The most common location is between the bases on toes 3 and 4, sometimes toes 2 and 3 (big toe is counted as number 1). We see this relatively well ultrasound diagnostics.
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Why do you get Morton's neuroma?
There is some uncertainty as to what the cause of this diagnosis is. It is relatively narrow for the nerve between the bases of the toes in this area. An increased load on the front of the foot can trigger this type of problem.
Symptom
In Morton's neuroma, there is pain and often numbness in the toes in front of the neuroma and on the underside of the foot in the same area. Often the pain is sharp in character. Under load, you can often feel it click in the area when it hurts. If you have shoes that are a little tight over the front of the foot, the problems can increase.
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Treatment
We look at the mobility of the foot. Trying to relieve the nerve through shoe adjustments and / or anatomical shoe inserts. Manipulation of the metatarsals can reduce the discomfort. If the pain does not go away despite treatment and adjustment by a physiotherapist, then doctors can put cortisone injection in the area. As a last resort, you can also operate on the swollen nerve.
Treatment at Alta Vita Physiotherapy
HALLUX VALGUS
What is hallux valgus?
The name is Latin and means crooked big toe. This diagnosis usually begins with the transverse arch of the foot, which runs between the big toe and the little toe becoming lower and lower. The front part of the foot then becomes wider and the big toe begins to be pulled in towards the other toes and tilted.
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Why do you get hallux valgus?
Unclear what causes hallux valgus. Women are clearly overrepresented among those who experience this and the most common is that this debuts in middle age. Tight shoes have often been seen as the main reason for this, but there is currently no evidence for this. In countries where shoes are not used as often as here in the West, however, this is clearly less common. You can see that there is a heredity in getting hallux valgus.
Symptoms of hallux valgus
As the front of the foot becomes wider, it can start to be difficult to find shoes that do not squeeze and cause pain in the big toe. The pain that occurs is due to various causes. One of the main reasons is the degree of skew in the base of the big toe. Another cause is inflammation that occurs in a mucous sac that sits above the base of the big toe due to mechanical pressure against it from the shoe. Barefoot, these patients are often more or less hassle-free.
Treatment of hallux valgus
Our physiotherapists help the patient with the choice of shoes. We can also produce anatomical shoe insoles to relieve the big toe. The patient is instructed in how to apply self-adhesive foam around the painful big toe for pressure relief. The doctor can give an anti-inflammatory cure to relieve any inflammation in the mucous sac at the big toe joint. Surgery is performed as a last resort in case of pronounced discomfort.
Forecast
If you make sure to relieve the toe from mechanical pressure from too tight shoes, the prognosis is good. Once an operation has been performed, the prognosis is good here as well.
HALLUX RIGIDIS
What is Hallux rigidus?
Hallux rigidus is Latin and means stiff big toe. This means that you have osteoarthritis in the base of the big toe, a wear and tear .
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Why do you get Hallux rigidus?
It is unclear why one suffers from this, but as with osteoarthritis in general, there may be a hereditary background. Not infrequently, there is a previous injury in the big toe that can be the basis for this. The most common is that the debut takes place at the age of 50.
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Symptom
Increasing stiffness and pain in the base of the big toe. Stiffness especially in backward bending in the joint (dorsiflexion). Especially pain in thin shoes or barefoot walking. Resting pains may occur.
What is Hallux rigidus?
Hallux rigidus is Latin and means stiff big toe. This means that you have osteoarthritis in the base of the big toe, a wear and tear.
​
Why do you get Hallux rigidus?
It is unclear why one suffers from this, but as with osteoarthritis in general, there may be a hereditary background. Not infrequently, there is a previous injury in the big toe that can be the basis for this. The most common is that the debut takes place at the age of 50.
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Symptom
Increasing stiffness and pain in the base of the big toe. Stiffness especially in backward bending in the joint (dorsiflexion). Especially pain in thin shoes or barefoot walking. Resting pains may occur.
