Foot, Toe, and Nail Changes: Are They Interdependent?

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Dermatology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Toenails are musculoskeletal appendages intimately connected to toe joints, ligaments, and tendons.
• The big toe plays a critical role in gait and stance.
• Anatomic foot and toe alterations can directly or indirectly cause pathological nail changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between toenail conditions and foot/toe abnormalities.
• To identify common toenail changes and their correlation with foot deformities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical photographs from 1,663 patients with toenail conditions.
• Evaluation of foot and toe abnormalities, including hallux valgus and hallux valgus interphalangeus.

Main Results:

• A normal straight axis of the first ray was observed in less than 10% of patients.
• Common nail changes included compression nail, ingrown nail, and onychomycosis.
• Hallux valgus (775 patients) and hallux valgus interphalangeus (1,277 patients) were the most frequent foot abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Most toenail changes are associated with foot and toe abnormalities, though direct causality is difficult to prove.
• Assessing toenail conditions necessitates a thorough examination of the entire foot in various weight-bearing positions.