Morton’s toe is a kind of deformity in the body where the second toe of the foot appears to be longer than the first toe (big toe). This definition brings out confusion though. Morton’s toe is not really a long second toe (which refers to the phalanges, or the toe bones), instead it is the relative length of the metatarsal foot bones where the first metatarsal is shorter relative to the second metatarsal.
How to determine if you have a Morton’s Toe? There is an easy way to identify a Morton’s Toe. According to an article presented by GRD Biotech Incorporated, one must have a Morton’s Toe if the space between your first and second toe appears to be deeper, not wider, than the space between your second and third toe. Using this simple method
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Morton thought that in a Morton’s foot condition, the first metatarsal was hypermobile, meaning there is an excessive movement of the big toe. He didn’t realize that in a Morton’s toe the metatarsal of the big toe is also elevated, so that when a person tries to walk with the legs and feet properly aligned, they are not properly weight bearing. The second toe being the longest is subjected to an increased stress and pressure on the proximal metatarsal and phalangeal joint. The implications are: in a person with Morton’s toe, he or she may develop calluses at the base of the second toe and associated pain on the ball of the foot. Tight fitting shoes can also worsen the condition because standerd fit shoes do not have enough space for the prodtruding second toe. Morton’s toe can also fast track the wearing and tearing down of joints and ligaments. Other associated conditions of Morton’s toe include Metatarsalgia or the ball-of-foot pain, Hammertoes, Bunions or the abnormal bump of bone that is formed at the head of the first metatarsal bone, Morton’s neuroma, and plantar fasciitis. Dr. Morton observed that persons who have Morton’s foot condition experience changes on the way they walk, observed a kind of “walking on ice skates” effect, and changes in