Mallet Toe is a form of deformity in the foot. This happens when the joint near to the toe gets bent and creates an arch. The arch will be extra ordinary shape and highly irregular. Research has been done to find out why this happens. All pointers lead to heredity as the main reason. General weakness of the body including the nervous system and bones is the reason for the affliction setting in. Lack of muscle coordination is also another reason.
As in the case of all foot problems mallet toe is also caused by the wearing improper shoes. Due to constriction and lack of free movement the toes get curved. This results in great inconvenience and discomfort while on your feet. Walking and standing may be inconvenient and painful also. The problem however does not go away by a change of shoes. The symptoms also vary, depending on how poorly the toe has been affected.
Treatment for mallet toe starts with corrective action on muscle tendons. The movement on the toe is possible only if the tendons are elastic. Once they become inelastic any movement of the toe becomes impossible. These are internal problems which can not be tackled by the patient himself at home. As with any disease diagnosing the problem in the early stages and treating it under advice of a qualified and experienced doctor should be done. This is the only way to avoid getting into more serious problems.
A consultation with your family doctor, or better still a podiatrist is the most recommended thing for treatment of mallet toe. The doctor's first recommendation usually refers to the size, shape and nature of the shoes to be worn by the patient. Tapering shoes are totally banned. Apart from insufficient space for the toes in a narrow shaped shoe, rubbing of the toes against each other happens which may result in bruises and infections.
Rubbing against shoe sides is not a healthy indication. Changing the shoes to the appropriate ones is not only the easiest option but economically the best also, for the treatment of mallet toe. Doctors also advice use of inserts and stress relieving pads inside the shoes. Therefore it is always made to treat the problem by all methods other than surgery. The last resort is of course surgery.
Surgery is done in certain cases. It is done by making only a small incision. Relaxed tendons and reduced pressure on the bones are the outcome of this procedure. The surgeon takes great care and opts for surgery only when all other methods have failed the desired result. While treating a patient with mallet toe the surgeon takes into consideration very important things like the age of the patient and also the nature and state of the affected area and also of the fully investigating and determining the cause for the affliction.
It is an irony that a major toe affliction like mallet toe is totally avoidable and is caused only by sheer negligence on the part of the person concerned to do things correctly matters relating to the foot.