Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Hi Barb, Toes have distal muscles (distal comes from 'distance') and in peripheral neuropathy like the CMT we have, those distal muscles in toes, also feet, and legs are usually affected first. I said 'usually' but we know persons can all be affected differently. So, the toe muscles are contracting making what is referred to hammertoes or curled toes. I have them too. Toes on my right foot are more 'hammered' than the left foot. I have seen successful foot surgery done to correct this, I even asked my orthopedist about this. He said NO to this for me, because 1) it involves breaking the toe BONES, putting pins in to make them straight and 2) is painful and would require alot of time off my feet. He wants me on my feet always! And I don't have pain in my toes because of the hammered effect. He also told me that even if he did that surgery, my toe muscles are weakened, and would eventually get weaker, contracting more, which would cause the toes to start curling again. He suggested foot massages, where the metartarsal pads and toes are massaged and stretched outward and I have found this extremely beneficial - also pleasurable. My doc also suggested wider shoes, OK fine with that, also ones with a deeper toe box, which is why I love the New Balance Shoe line, and then Stefan my orthotist has made metarsal pads into my orthotics, which feel great on my toes when I walk. I also do exercises for my feet - this also helps the toes. When I am sitting at my desk, barefooted, I roll a tennis ball around under my feet, this also works the ankles and legs. In the pool, I do some foot, toe, ankle exercises on the Rocker Board. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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