From the Research
The medical term for the second toe crossing over the great toe is crossover second toe deformity, as described in the study by 1. This condition occurs when the second toe deviates in a medial direction and then dorsally, crossing over the great toe, often due to deterioration of the lateral collateral ligament and joint capsule of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. Some key points to consider about this condition include:
- It can be associated with hallux valgus deformity, where the great toe deviates toward the outside of the foot, as mentioned in the study by 2.
- Treatment options range from conservative measures like wearing wider shoes, using toe spacers or padding, to surgical correction in severe cases, as discussed in the studies by 3, 4, and 5.
- Physical therapy exercises that strengthen toe muscles may help in mild cases.
- The condition can cause pain, difficulty walking, and further foot deformities if left untreated, as the abnormal positioning creates pressure points and alters normal foot mechanics during walking. In terms of treatment, surgical correction is often necessary to produce permanent correction, as stated in the study by 3, and may involve a combination of soft-tissue and osseous reconstruction. Additionally, a supplemental technique to augment coronal plane metatarsophalangeal joint realignment may be effective in treating recalcitrant lesser metatarsophalangeal joint coronal plane malalignment, as described in the study by 5.