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What's A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options5

What’s A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Foot pain can be debilitating, affecting our ability to walk, exercise, and perform daily activities comfortably. One common foot condition that causes discomfort and requires attention is crossover toe.

This blog post delves into crossover toe, its symptoms, and available treatment options. First off, we’ll explain exactly what is a crossover toe.

What is a crossover toe?

What's A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options5

Crossover toe, also known as floating toe or floating fifth toe, is a type of deformity in which the toe drifts out of its normal position and crosses over or under a neighbouring toe. The condition is also known as overlapping toe.

The condition generally affects the fourth and fifth toes, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing shoes comfortably. However, any combination of toes may become an overlapping toe. Roughly 7% of adults—men and women equally — have overlapping toes of some sort.

Symptoms of crossover toe

What's A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options5
  1. Toe pain: Discomfort is often felt at the base of the affected toe, especially when walking or standing for long periods.
  2. Swelling and inflammation: The affected area may become swollen and inflamed due to the abnormal positioning of the toe.
  3. Uncomfortable shoe fit: Shoes may feel tight or uncomfortable, especially in the toe box area where the affected toe rubs against adjacent toes or the shoe itself.
  4. Visual appearance: The affected toe may appear to cross over or under the adjacent toe, giving it a visibly different appearance than the other toes.
  5. Corns: Corns will often form on top of crossover toes due to excessive friction and rubbing on the affected toes.

Causes of crossover toe

What's A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options5

Crossover toe can develop due to several factors, including:

  • Foot injuries: Joint and ligament damage caused by unhealed trauma and foot injuries can change the toes’ alignment over time. Additionally, arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, can shift the alignment of your toes as it progresses and damages the joints.
  • Foot structure: People with high arches or flat feet are prone to developing overlapping toes.
  • Genetics: Overlapping toes may also be inherited. Many conditions that make one prone to developing an overlapping toe, like arthritis and Morton’s toe, have genetic contributing factors.
  • Improper footwear. Wearing shoes that are too short, too narrow or too tight can force the toes into an unnatural position and curl up, which will ultimately lead to the development of a crossover toe.

Treatment options for crossover toe

What's A Crossover Toe: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options5
  1. Footwear adjustments: Proper-fitting footwear is one of the most important ways to manage a crossover toe. Switching to shoes with a wider toe box can ease pressure on the affected toe and reduce discomfort. You should also make sure you have sufficient space at the end of your shoes (typically 1 cm) for your toes to properly splay. If shoes are too short, your toes will curl up. Many companies, like ASICS, APEX and Saucony, offer a wide-width options to give your feet the extra room it needs. Shoes with a mesh or soft upper are also recommended, as this will reduce pressure and friction on the top of the toes.
  2. Orthotics Custom orthotic inserts or pads can help support the arch and redistribute pressure across the foot. This can help promote proper toe alignment and reduce pressure on the crossover toes so that they don’t get worse.
  3. Foot and Toe exercises: Performing specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons around the toes can improve flexibility and prevent the condition from progressing.
  4. Splinting or taping: A foot specialist can tape the affected toe to encourage proper alignment and reduce pain. You can also buy a splint or toe spacer to help stabilize and align the toe.
  5. Corn and Callus Treatment: Since crossover toes are extremely prone to corns and calluses, it is very important to see a licensed chiropodist for routine foot care. A chiropodist can safely debride any corns and calluses on your crossover toe, which will reduce pain and irritation.

Need advice about your crossover toe?

Do you have a crossover toe? The experts at our Toronto foot clinic can help! Call us at (416) 769-3338 or book an appointment here!

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Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

If you’ve been to the clinic before, chances are you had the pleasure of meeting Carolina! Carolina’s daily goal is going above and beyond to make sure patients are always completely satisfied. Having worked in the podiatry industry for 22 years, Carolina brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to client service, insurance policies, and procedures.​ She steers the ship to make sure everything runs smoothly on the daily. Carolina is known for spicing up every outfit with her signature costume jewellery.