Your doctor may decide to take an X-ray of your foot to get a better idea of the problem. Your doctor may take blood from you and check your glucose levels because foot problems are common for people with diabetes.
Your orthopedist may also want to take an X-ray, bone scan, MRI or diagnostic ultrasound to ascertain and properly diagnose your foot condition.
A podiatrist is a great source of information on the most appropriate shoes for your feet. Physical therapists, chiropractors and naturopaths may also be good sources of information regarding foot/toe conditions and offer natural, non-invasive treatments.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) or analgesics (such as acetaminophen) can combat the swelling and pain caused by bunions. If the pain is severe, stronger medications may be prescribed by your family doctor or orthopod (such as COX-2 inhibitors or morphine-based drugs). Steroid injections directly into the joint can be effective for combating pain and inflammation.
You should be able to wiggle your toes while your shoes are on. There should be at least 1/2 inch (1. 25 cm) of space between the tips of your big toes and the end of your shoes while standing up. Athletic shoes and walking sandals are generally good choices.
Arch supports and orthotics realign the shape of your foot, correcting balance and weight distribution throughout the muscles of your feet and toes. Massages, gentle stretching and ice baths may also help reduce the pain and dysfunction of bunions.
Bunion correction is an outpatient surgery. After the surgery, the foot is covered with a bulky, compressive bandage. Bone typically takes six weeks to heal, so wearing a protective boot for a minimum of six weeks after surgery is common. During this time, avoid excessive or unnecessary walking.
Dislocations don’t often spontaneously realign without intervention from a health professional. The longer a joint is dislocated, the greater the chance of permanent ligament and/or tendon damage, so getting treatment soon after injury is important.
Consider making your own splint with popsicle sticks and trainer’s tape.
Talk to your doctor before beginning a toe exercise routine, especially if you have other medical conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. If these exercises do not work well or are painful to perform, see a physical therapist or podiatrist for more personalized assistance.
Hammertoe can be fixed by surgery (cutting and stretching the contracted tendon, then placing a metal pin/wire next to the joint for support), or aggressive stretching regimens on a daily basis. Splints and supports can also be effective for alleviating hammertoe. Use your fingers to massage around the toe, then manually pull (stretch) the hammertoe, holding each stretch for several seconds. Continue this routine multiple times daily for weeks or until you see substantial improvement.
Claw toes can also be fixed by similar surgical methods used for hammertoe, which includes cutting and stretching the contracted tendons. Try walking on the tips of your toes, which will cause extension (and stretching) of the contracted tendons/joints.
Mallet toes can also be fixed by similar surgical methods used for hammertoes and claw toes — cutting and stretching the contracted tendons. Every attempt should be made to spread your toes while barefoot. A toe-spacing product can be worn to help re-approximate your toes to the correct anatomical position.
