Severe Pain When Clawing Toes

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

Hi everyone,

I have a patient reporting severe pain at the base of his 5th digit, pain is only felt when clawing his toes. There doesn't appear to be any visible inflammation, or anything at all for that matter, around the area and no pain is felt on palpation, only when digit is plantarflexed. I strapped up the area but could offer no further help. I suggested he visit his GP and ask to be sent for an MRI. Is there anything else I could have done? I felt a bit like I was just passing him on!

Linda

 

There is a posture reflex of elevating the little toe when there is a perception of falling posterior to the opposite side. If this is habitual then the extensor and/or abductor of the fifth digit will resist planter flexion possibly causing compression pain in the joint or muscle tendon junction.