Toe sardines. What have we done to our feet ?

Note that form follows function. If you are observant, you will see the deformation of the 5 digit, just like in this case as the quadratus weakens and the long flexors dominate. The toe begins to spin laterally, and thus the plantar toe pad begins to deform medially, look closely, you can see that here in the video.

Does this look like your foot ? There are a few subtle issues here. 

In the foot, the toe that delineates abduction and adduction of the toes is the 2nd toe. The 2nd toe is considered the anatomic middle of the digits and forefoot. Any toe or movement that moves away from the 2nd toe is abduction and any movement towards the 2nd toe is adduction. This is obviously different than in the hand where the 3rd digit, the one you use during road rage, is the reference digit. Next time you are questioned, tell them you threw them your reference finger, not “the bird”, it is a more accurate descriptor.

In this foot, note how neatly and tightly packed the cute little toes are, all snuggled up to their brothers and sisters. Remember, form follows function. Obviously function has been low on these fellas, at least in abduction.  This often comes from snug toe box footwear and lack of abduction (toe spread) use.  But make no mistake, this is a weak foot.

Today we wish to really focus your attention to an old topic, just a revisit. We can see the 4th and 5th toes curl under from the probably weak lateral head of the quadratus plantae thus encouraging unopposed oblique pull of the long flexors of the digits (FDL). See this post here for an explanation of this phenomenon.  There is also obvious imbalance between the long and short flexors and extensors in these toes, the long flexors are expressing more tone, and that means the long extensors are deprived. 

Note that form follows function. If you are observant, you will see the deformation of the 5 digit, just like in this case as the quadratus weakens and the long flexors dominate. The toe begins to spin laterally, and thus the plantar toe pad begins to deform medially, look closely, you can see that here in the video. This spin can carry the toe nail so far laterally sometimes that the nail can begin to touch the ground during gait and cause painful nail lifting with even some losing the nail. 

There is plenty of life left in this foot, but you have to get to it quickly and get them in lower heeled shoes if tolerable and ones with a wider toe box.  The client needs to be retaught how to access the toe extensors and abductors. Lumbrical retraining, which is a recurrent topic here on our blog, should also be instituted. 

Shawn Allen, one of the gait guys