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Common Toe & Forefoot Conditions

Common Issues Affecting the Toes and Forefoot

The forefoot consists of the metatarsals and toes. Most conditions affecting the toes are progressive. Fortunately, not all toe deformities are painful and thus do not necessarily require surgery. Many of these can be treated with shoe wear modifications, orthotic inserts, or other nonoperative means. If these modalities fail, then surgery may be indicated. If you have progressive deformity or pain in your toes, then you should be evaluated by one of our orthopedic trained, foot and ankle surgeons.

Evaluation & Diagnosis

We use many tests to evaluate pain and injuries of the toes and forefoot. In the office, we routinely employee x-ray which gives a great 2-dimensional view of the bones. When a 3-dimensional perspective is needed, we will order advanced imaging. MRI gives specific detail to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. CT gives better resolution to the bones and bony alignment of the joints. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies evaluate nerve issues. PET scans are a special CT scan for tumor evaluation among other things.

Please review these videos for more information about each of these tests.

Anesthesia Concerns

Many patients undergoing surgery have questions about anesthesia. For many foot and ankle surgeries, we utilize a combination of anesthesia modalities for maximum pain control and comfort. In consultation with you and your anesthesiologist, we will select the combination that gives the best comfort and safety in the perioperative period based on your medical history and personal choice. Please review the videos below for more information on the different anesthetic modalities.

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