Many people have contracted toes. Contracted toes form when straight toes buckle or bend-under. These contractures may remain flexible or progress to a ridgid deformity called hammertoes or mallet toes. An abnormal contracted toe position may result in skin irritations (which is inflamed skin) or corns (which is an accumulation of hard dead skin cells) on the tops or ends of the toes. The cause of toe contractures may include foot imbalance, heredity, short toes, improper fitting shoes, and injury. Continued contraction of the toes may result in pain and inability to wear most types of shoes comfortably. Treatment can consist of shoe gear alterations, padding, trimming of corns, and excercises. If contracted toes cannot be relieved by conservative treatment then surgery may be indicated. Flexible contractures may be surgically treated with tendon and ligament realeases. Rigid deformities are often best treated with removal of some of the toe bone. Dr. Sextro, Dr. Larsen and Dr. Bandel can help you decide what is the best treatment for your contracted toes.