Don't Forget the Pinky Toe

Do not forget the pinky toe! It is important to the shape of the all around foot and it feels no less or more pain if you do not take proper care with respectable footwear. The pinky toe is just as susceptible to disease as all your other toes. If you stub that little toe one to many times and walking it off isn't working as much as it use to you may want to check it out.

The little toe can get misdiagnosed easily, some podiatrist assume corn, pinched nerve, or possible hammertoe if you come with the common symptoms of sensitivity, pain, and stiffness. Don’t be afraid to get a second, third, or fourth opinion. This is your health on the line.  One of the results of constantly hitting/stubbing can toe can be bone damage or an infection. Sausage toe," a term podiatrists use to describe swelling often due to injury or infection. It can result from an injury, such as a fracture in which a bone pierces the skin. Sometimes a long-standing infection can penetrate to the surface of the bone. Untreated, osteomyelitis can become chronic and lead to the death of the affected bone. Osteomyelitis is an infection that eats away at the bone in the toe. There were two treatment options: several weeks of antibiotics to see if the infection would clear up, or amputation. Bacteria typically cause osteomyelitis, which affects about two of every 10,000 people. Although rare still be conscience of what can happen to your feet if you choose to just “walk it off” sometimes it can be deeper than icing it down.

I know the last toe can be a pain especially when it comes to trying to squeeze into that fabulous pump, there are a handful of cosmetic surgeries to take care of that. No podiatrist that I found while researching this article suggests to get any of the surgeries saying “more health risk without any medical benefit” Things like: Toe Shortening (bone segment removed), Toe Lengthening (bone cut, then stretched), Toe Straightening (somewhat beneficial for those with hammer toe), Foot padding which is an injection of cortisone or fat to fill in demolished padding in the heel. None of these surgeries are suggested but are quite convenient, if you would rather be on bed rest for weeks than just switch out a pair of shoes. Whichever you prefer they are your feet so take care of them. You only get two.

SuperbCoutureFootwear is a premiere online retailer that sells quality footwear and foot care products to women. They seek to inspire and educate women about proper use of footwear and foot care. To learn more about the products offered and the informative articles provided, go to superbfootwear.com

Sources

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/02/AR2009030201796.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2236039/Off-pinky-How-high-heel-obsessed-women-removing-toes-stiletto-surgery-comfier-fit.html

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/womens-health/Pages/high-heels.aspx