Why are my toes overlapping?
If you're like most people, you may take your toes for granted. But if you have overlapping toes, you know just how annoying and uncomfortable it can be.
So why do your toes overlap? Well, there are several different possibilities.
Before jumping to conclusions…
It's possible you could inherit overlapping toes based on the shape of your foot, especially if either of your parents were bothered by hammertoe.1 Toes overlapping is not always an indication of hammertoe, so before you jump to conclusions, it's best to have your family doctor check out your feet to make a diagnosis.
You may also have a foot condition that accentuates the imbalance between muscles of your toes, or you might have developed overlapping toes or hammertoes by wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight-fitting.1 Toe overlapping may affect people of any age, and it can impact any of the toes on your feet.
Why your toes overlap
The simplest cause of overlapping toes is that you may have worn poorly fitting shoes for a prolonged period, or shoes that are too narrow to accommodate the natural breadth of the foot. Wearing high heels may cause this condition to develop, for instance, if you were high heels to work every day. Toes get forced into an unnatural position, and then it takes a lot of effort to restore them to normal.2
Your inherited bone structure may make you more prone to developing hammertoe, or you may even be born with hammertoe. Arthritis can cause inflammation in your toes that it pushes them out of alignment. Rheumatoid arthritis may trigger this kind of misalignment.3 Another reason why your toes might overlap is the biomechanics of walking. You may have poor posture, or you may roll your foot inward as you walk. This may lead to the development of bunions and overlapping toes. If you have constantly tight calf muscles because they never get stretched out, this may also lead to bunions and hammertoe.2
Treatment options
While the condition is in earlier stages, there are several treatment options your doctor can recommend to you, before your doctor might start considering surgery. First, you can make sure you're always wearing comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space in the toe box for your toes to relax. Toe separators may help too, and these can be purchased at any pharmacy, or you can obtain them from your doctor. Pads and inserts might offer a degree of relief as well, especially if your overlapping toes are due to pressure being exerted by a bunion. Physical therapy can be effective in some cases and icing your foot will usually produce at least temporary relief. It will also help if you can avoid becoming overweight.4
Managing overlapping toes
Whatever your doctor recommends to manage your overlapping toes, don't ignore the condition – it may grow worse over time. Consult with your doctor early on and ask for recommendations on how to treat your specific case. Eventually, your doctor may determine surgery to be necessary, but many people are able to defer that until later by simply taking steps to alleviate the condition and slow its progress.2
