Clawtoes
Definition
A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. Claw toes may occur in any toe, except the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the end of the toe that is pressed against the bottom of the shoe.
Claw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There are two types – flexible and rigid. In a flexible claw toe, the joint has the ability to move. This type of claw toe can be straightened manually.
A rigid claw toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is very limited and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development of corns and calluses.
Cause
Claw toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and tendons to become unnaturally tight. This results in the joints curling downwards. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including claw toes.
Treatment and Prevention
Changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step in the treatment of claw toes. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the claw toes. A shoe with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area so that there is less friction against the toes.
Other conservative treatments include using forefoot products designed to relieve claw toes, such as toe crests and hammer toe splints. These devices will help hold down the claw toe and provide relief to the forefoot. Gel toe shields and gel toe caps are also recommended to eliminate friction between the shoe and the toe, while providing comfort and lubrication.
Hammertoe Crest Pad
Gel Toe Cap
Budin splint / Toe Straightener
If you feel you may have clawtoes, please come see Dr. Williams or Dr. Silvers for treatment.
The address to our facility is as follows:
McKinney Office Location
4501 Medical Center Drive: Suite 300
McKinney, TX 75069
To schedule an apppointment, please call : 972-542-2155
Prosper Office Location
140 N. Preston Road: Suite 30
Prosper, TX 75078
To schedule an appointment, please call: 972-542-2155
Crazy Shoes: Are These For Real?
I thought you guys might get a laugh when looking at these absurd shoes.
Enjoy! Have a great day!
P.S. – These are not recommended to wear.
~Dr. Williams
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment for Heel Pain
A revolutionary new treatment for plantar fasciitis has arrived and is now offered at McKinney Foot and Ankle Center. Many people suffer from the classic symptoms of plantar fasciitis. These symptoms typically are heel pain the first few steps in the morning and/or after rest. This pain usually subsides some after walking for five to ten minutes. As the condition progresses, patients may experience heel pain late in the day as well. Extracorporeal Shock Wave is now FDA approved to treat plantar fasciitis.
“Extracorporeal” means “outside the body.” Shock waves are created by very strong acoustic (sound) energy. The ESW treatment is preformed with a device called the OssaTron. The OssaTron is a shock wave generator very similar to the shock wave devices used to treat kidney stones without surgery (Lithotripsy). The shock waves are created by a spark plug that is enclosed in a soft plastic dome filled with water. During ESW treatment, this dome is placed close against the heel so that the shock waves pass through the dome into the heel. ESW is a non-invasive way of treating heel pain. There are no incisions, stitches or dressings associated with ESW treatment. The day of the ESW treatment: Dr. Silvers will probably ask you to come to the surgery center a few hours before your ESW treatment is scheduled. You should wear shorts or loose fitting clothing that can easily be rolled up to the knee of your affected leg. Otherwise, you may be asked to change from your own clothes into a hospital gown. The staff may take your temperature, pulse and blood pressure and ask you some questions about your general health. They also will make sure you have signed a consent form for the ESW treatment. The ESW treatment may cause some discomfort, so an anesthetic is commonly given before the procedure. Usually, this is a local anesthetic or a regional anesthetic called a heel block. During the ESW treatment, you will be asked to rest comfortably on your back while Dr. Silvers holds your foot up to the OssaTron shock head. An ESW treatment for chronic proximal plantar faciitis usually takes about 30 minutes. The ESW treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure. No overnight hospital is necessary. After the ESW treatment: Immediately after treatment, you will stay at the hospital or surgery center until the anesthetic wears off enough that it is safe for you to walk. Dr. Silvers will probably ask you to restrict “stressful activity” involving the treated foot for four weeks after treatment. “Stressful activity” may include running or jogging, doing heavy housework or yard work, and participating in sports. Some patients need a mild pain medication following ESW treatment. Although some patients feel immediate relief from pain after the ESW treatment, it is more common for it to take up to six weeks for pain relief to begin. Dr Silvers will ask you to return to the office for a follow up visit after ESW treatment. How can I get more information about ESW treatment for heel pain? Talk to Dr. Silvers. In order to use the OssaTron to treat chronic proximal plantar faciitis, Dr. Silvers had to complete a specialized training program. The training program not only allowed Dr. Silvers to learn how to perform the ESW treatment, but it also included information about shock wave energy in general, and information from the OssaTron clinical study. Therefore, Dr. Silvers is the best person to talk with if you have any questions or concerns about ESW treatment for chronic proximal plantar faciitis with the OssaTron. Other treatments available for treating chronic proximal plantar faciitis: Many other people get better after trying one or several conservative treatments, which include:
In difficult cases of chronic proximal plantar fasciitis, open or arthoscopic surgery may be performed. Who should consider having ESW treatment for proximal plantar fasciitis? ESW treatment with the OssaTron is for patients who have had heel pain for at least six months and who have tried other methods for treating their heel pain. In the OssaTron clinical study, the treated patients had failed to respond to at least three attempts at conservative treatment: two prior courses of non-invasive treatment, including physical therapy and the use of an orthotic device; and one prior course of pharmacological treatment. ESW treatment with the OssaTron is for patients who can tolerate anesthesia prior to the ESW procedure. ESW treatment with the OssaTron is painful. ESW treatment with the OssaTron is for patients who can tolerate hearing protection to reduce the risk of hearing impairment due to the sound of the OssaTron. Contraindications:
Because the OssaTron has not been tested on people who have the following conditions, its effect, safety, and effectiveness on someone who has one of the following conditions is unknown:
Dr. Silvers can provide you with additional information about these and other conditions and how they might affect the decision to perform ESW treatment. Side Effect and Complications:
If you have any questions about ESW or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Silvers, please call McKinney Foot and Ankle Center at (972) 542-2155. |
