Second Toe Pain: Capsulitis of the Second Toe
The second toe or second metatarsal usually get overshadowed by the big toe, until it causes toe pain and problems such as capsulitis of the second toe or metatarsalgia. Second toe pain commonly occurs on the bottom (ball) area of the foot (metatarsal) and can be associated with Morton’s Toe (longer second toe) and have a large callus.
Capsulitis of the second toe occurs when the ligaments that form the capsule of the second toe become inflamed (joint swelling) and painful.
Cause
Capsulitis of the second toe generally occurs from improper foot mechanics such and when the first toe puts pressure on the second toe during a bunion formation.
Weak foot intrinsic muscles, tight calf musculature, and irritation of the medial plantar nerve can increase stress on the second metatarsal and over time create second toe pain.
Symptoms
Capsulitis of the second toe usually worsens if left untreated. It’s vital to resort to normal foot mechanics and strength to the entire foot.
- Pain in the ball of the foot under the second toe. It often feels like a marble
- Increase pain in shoes (usually too narrow) and second-toe pain while barefoot.
Treatment
It’s important to treat this condition as soon as it presents (or before) as it can progress to ligamentous instability, toe dislocation, and eventually need surgical correction.
- Full rehabilitation of the foot muscles to ensure adequate strength and biomechanics of the foot
- Release and stretching of the medial plantar nerve
- Normalization of big toe mobility and alignment to take the pressure of the second toe
- Increasing neural integration of the foot.
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