Treatment of Lesser Toe Deformities Based on Physical Therapy

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Biomechanics
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Forefoot problems are prevalent, affecting autonomy and increasing fall risk.
• Treatment prioritizes conservative measures before surgical intervention.
• Nonsurgical approaches focus on pressure relief and deformity correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review conservative treatment strategies for forefoot problems.
• To evaluate the efficacy of intrinsic foot muscle strengthening.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on conservative forefoot problem management.
• Analysis of physiotherapy interventions, including exercises and orthoses.
• Assessment of novel approaches focusing on intrinsic foot muscle strengthening.

Main Results:

• Conservative measures like corrective devices and physiotherapy are indicated for reducible deformities.
• Strengthening intrinsic foot muscles shows effectiveness in correcting mild deformities.
• This approach also aids in preventing the progression of existing forefoot issues.

Conclusions:

• Conservative management is the primary approach for forefoot problems.
• Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening represents a promising, effective strategy for specific cases.
• Further research into biomechanical interventions is warranted.