Diagnosis:
The condition is clearly diagnosed from its appearance and the patient’s history. An X-ray may be required to evaluate the condition of the bone.
Treatment:
Conservative treatment:
In the early stages when the toe is still flexible, the problem can be solved with conservative measures such as relieving pain and pressure by:
wearing comfortable shoes with broader toe sections to allow sufficient room for the toes
avoiding high heels and narrow toes completely
using gel toe caps or cushions to protect against friction from the shoe
Gel and gel-lined toecaps relieve pressure and friction to prevent corns
Supporting and aligning the toe by:
Using toe straighteners and splints
Practising toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the toe muscles and increase their flexibility. Ultrasonic massage also helps to improve the joint condition.
Surgery:
However, when the toe has become rigid, or when the discomfort remains even after conservative treatment, surgical correction may be required.
Flexor tenotomy:
When a little flexibility still remains in the toe, it is possible to straighten the toe by incising the stiff flexor tendons – a procedure called flexor tenotomy. The tendons are band-like extensions of the muscles that attach them to bones. Releasing a tendon relaxes the tight muscle and straightens the toe in most cases.
To straighten a totally rigid toe, it may be required to remove part of the joint to allow for free movement, or remove the joint totally and fuse the two phalanges together. The toe will become straight but the end of the toe would no longer bend.
On the other hand, the distal phalanx (the toe bone at the tip) may need to be removed partially or completely.
It is always better to seek treatment in the early stages to avoid surgical intervention.