Help!

I have Morton's Toe and as a result of years of tennis playing the joint between the toe and the foot has deteriorated. 6 months ago I had a cortison shot which helped for a few months. The pain is now back and severe. My physician explains the condition as the ball of the toe moving up and down instead of naturally rotating in the socket.

The surgeon (surprise) is now suggesting surgery to shorten the toe thereby taking the pressure off the joint. Is anyone familiar with this procedure and can they attest to it working?

Thanks

Michael

Dear Michael,
A Morton's toe, meaning a long second toe. It is not an unusaual procedure to suggest to perform an arthroplasty(removing a piece of bone from the toe) or sometimes even an arthrodesis(removing a piece of bone with fusion) in order to shorten the toe. The idea is to decompress the joint and decrease the pressure on the joint. It is successful. However, if you are unsure and would like another opinion, go see another Podiatrist, with x-rays in hand and be evaluated. There is no harm in getting another opinion.

Thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM
foot.com expert