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Published on: March 11, 2022
Disorders of the lesser toes
Bertil W Smith1, Michael J Coughlin
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, 92103-8894, USA. batsmithmd@hotmail.com
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review
|August 15, 2009
Summary
Lesser toe disorders cause pain and disability in athletes, often due to conditions like corns and hammertoes. Accurate diagnosis through careful examination leads to straightforward treatments with good outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Podiatry
Background:
- Lesser toe disorders are a common yet overlooked cause of athletic pain and functional limitation.
- Conditions include corns, hammertoe, mallet toe deformities, and metatarsalgia linked to neuromas or joint instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of lesser toe disorders in athletes.
- To emphasize the diagnostic process and treatment efficacy for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation focusing on patient history and physical examination.
- Review of common lesser toe pathologies in athletic populations.
Main Results:
- Careful clinical assessment is key to diagnosing often vague symptoms of lesser toe disorders.
- Specific conditions like corns, deformities, and metatarsalgia are frequent complaints.
Conclusions:
- Lesser toe disorders significantly impact athletes.
- Accurate diagnosis via thorough examination facilitates effective and predictable treatment, restoring function and alleviating pain.
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