4 Ways To Treat A Painful Long Toe Before Moving To Surgery
If you have a toe that is painfully long, and that just seems to get in the way, there are a few things that you can do before having surgery on that toe. Most toe surgeons are going to ask you to try one or more of the methods below before going through with surgery. As with any surgery, it should only be taken when necessary.
Custom Foot Orthotics
If you have a toe that is longer than your other toes, it can make wearing shoes a little awkward. You either have to go with a larger pair of shoes that allow your feet to slip around or go with a smaller pair of shoes so that the rest of your foot is secure, but your long toe feels cramped. With custom foot orthotics, a mold is made of your foot, so that you can put a special mold inside of your shoes that will make them fit your foot without having to slip around or scrunch things up inside of your shoes.
Physical Therapy
Another option is physical therapy. The pain that is coming from your foot may not be just because your toe is too long, it may be because your muscles are not working as they should in your foot. You could have weak muscles that need to be strengthened, or you could have some tight muscles that need to relax to give you relief from your pain. Physical therapy can be useful in getting your foot to feel comfortable and work correctly.
Toe Splints
When you have an odd-sized toe, pressure can be placed on the wrong part of your foot when you walk. A toe splint or spacer can help align your toes and get them in the right position. This can help deal with the pain that comes from your long toe.
Cortisone Injections
You can also use cortisone injections. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medication. When it is injected right into your foot, it will help to get rid of the pain that you are feeling. It can also help reduce the swelling. Reducing the swelling can help promote healing.
You may need to try non-surgical methods to deal with the pain before your insurance will cover cosmetic toe surgery. Your foot doctor can explain to you the best non-surgical methods to try before moving to surgery to deal with your long toe. Using non-surgical methods may help you find a solution without surgery, and if that doesn't happen, it will convince your insurance company that surgery is necessary for your condition.