The majority of people with Morton’s toe have no symptoms. The few patients who do have symptoms present with:

• Calluses under the second or third head of the metatarsal.
• Vague discomfort of the fore foot while wearing constrictive shoes.
• Pain which can be sharp or dull. In some cases the pain may be felt under the arch or even more proximal towards the heel and ankle.
• People who wear tight shoes may also present with curved and ingrown toe nails.

• Asymptomatic

  However, because the deformity is asymptomatic, most people never come to medical attention and thus, the exact number of people affected remains unknown. Affected individuals usually present with symptoms in the second or third decade of life. [symptoma.com]

  The longer second toe is usually asymptomatic; however, footwear that is too tight or small may precipitate future pathology. [interpod.com.au]

  Asymptomatic anatomical variations in feet generally do not need treatment.Conservative treatment for foot pain with Morton's toe may involve exercises or placing a flexible pad under the first toe and metatarsal; an early version of the latter treatment [en.wikipedia.org]

• Crying

  That list, although not totally accurate, should have got you looking down at your toes by now, either with a sigh of relief or a muffled cry of panic. Your foot should distribute your weight like a tripod. [sbrsport.me]

• Painter

  Aside from being a renowned authority of the foot, Morton was also an orthopedic surgeon, anatomist, evolutionist, teacher, anthropologist, author, musician, painter and inventor. [footcare4u.com]

• Blue Eyes

  These include: Dominant Traits Recessive Traits Brown eyes Grey eyes, green eyes, blue eyes Dimples No dimples Unattached earlobes Attached earlobes Freckles No freckles Broad lips Thin lips Farsightedness Normal vision Normal vision Nearsightedness Normal [owlcation.com]

  Like blue eyes or brown hair, Morton’s Toe is hereditary. It’s not caused by wearing improperly fitted footwear, though too tight or high schools or worn out athletic footwear can certainly exacerbate the issue. [dranthonyweinert.com]

  Blue eyes are recessive, but not weird. Color blindness qualifies as weird but, like the Toe, when it’s hidden in footwear, it’s usually invisible to other people. Morton’s Toe is a can’t-roll-your-tongue kind of weird. [medium.com]

  * To put this in some perspective, only about 10 percent of the world’s population have blond hair, 10 percent have blue eyes and approximately 10 percent are left-handed. Only four percent of the world has red hair. [integrativehealthcare.org]

• Blonde Hair

  * To put this in some perspective, only about 10 percent of the world’s population have blond hair, 10 percent have blue eyes and approximately 10 percent are left-handed. Only four percent of the world has red hair. [integrativehealthcare.org]

• Skin Patch

  patches) Morton’s neuroma (sensation of standing on a pebble or sharp object at the ball of the foot) In addition to a greater risk for these associated foot problems, those with Morton’s Toe may also be more prone issues in the ankles, legs, hips and [treadlabs.com]

  Possible signs and symptoms associated with plantar warts include: Focal growth or groupings of darkened or callus skin patches along the bottom of the foot Irregularity of skin texture and thickness Localized pain, worsening with pressure Small, clotted [nwfootankle.com]

• Insect Bite

  If it is from an insect bite then you should apply an anti-histamine. If you don't know what's causing the pain, try an anti-histamine and possibly some Icy-Hot. If it doesn't improve, consult a doctor. [wikihow.com]

• Metatarsalgia

  Regular shoes will often cause metatarsalgia and neuromas as the shoe pushes together the toes hence the case of Morton's neuroma. Wide shoes are recommended. [en.wikipedia.org]

  [Purpose] This study examined the effects of the intrinsic foot muscle exercise combined with interphalangeal flexion exercise on metatarsalgia with Morton's toe. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Abstract [Purpose] This study examined the effects of the intrinsic foot muscle exercise combined with interphalangeal flexion exercise on metatarsalgia with Morton’s toe. [doi.org]

  The most common symptom pain is similar to Metatarsalgia with callus formation under second met head. [archfitters.com]

  The symptoms of Morton's Toe pain can be very similar to a condition called "Metatarsalgia". You will be able to tell which problem you have because your second toe will be longer than your big toe. This is not the case with Metatarsalgia. [therapysocks.com]

• Foot Pain

  For instance, wearing shoes with a profile that does not accommodate a longer second toe may cause foot pain. [en.wikipedia.org]

  For those with continued foot pain and problems, a custom orthotic can help realign and cushion the foot properly, so that the big toe takes its share of the force when stepping. [walking.about.com]

  Overpronation can often cause foot pain and other issues. If Morton’s Toe is causing pain or other problematic symptoms, it’s best to visit a doctor. [simplemost.com]

• Neck Pain

  This condition causes back and neck pain, lower extremity pain and foot pain. For the back and neck, you can suffer from neck pain, shoulder and upper back pain, sciatica, low back pain and Scoliosis & Kyphosis. [bootbomb.com]

  This can lead to low back, shoulder and neck pain. Copyright 2019 KABC-TV. All Rights Reserved. [abc7.com]

  Pain (head forward posture) Dr. [healinghandsphysio.com]

• Upper Back Pain

  Better body alignment reduces the incidence of back and neck issues like: Neck pain Lower back pain Upper back pain SI Joint Pain Scoliosis Kyphosis Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome Arthritis When treating your Morton’s Toe or other foot issues, reach [dranthonyweinert.com]

  For the back and neck, you can suffer from neck pain, shoulder and upper back pain, sciatica, low back pain and Scoliosis & Kyphosis. [bootbomb.com]

  How a Morton’s Toe Can Make Your Back Hurt There are different types of chronic back pain, including lower back pain and upper back pain. A Morton’s Toe can cause lower back pain by causing Pronation or Myofascial Pain. Dr. [footcare4u.com]

• Myofascial Trigger Point

  In this book, they explained how "myofascial trigger points are tiny contraction knots that develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. [pressurepositive.com]

• Denial

  Collapse Signature Expand Signature I am in denial, so I don't I am in denial, so I don't have it. Ha, Low! Hysterical!Danjo, Ha, Low! Hysterical! Danjo, you can have Morton's Toe and not have Morton's Neuroma of vice versa. [thebarefootrunners.org]

• Sleep Disturbance

  This book will also show how Morton's Toe can also cause fibromyalgia, arthritis, sleep disturbances (RLS), temporomandibular joint pain, and numerous other problems through out the body The good news is that all of these problems can be treated with [pressurepositive.com]

  Janet Travell wrote that Myofascial Pain Syndrome could also cause tenderness, muscle spasms, limitation of motion, depression, sleep disturbance and changes in circulation What Causes Myofascial Pain? Dr. [footcare4u.com]

• Neglect

  For 2,000 years she has been a ubiquitous figure in the canon of Western art, yet despite art historians poring over nearly every inch of her curves, a few small parts of her body have been sorely neglected: her second toes, which stick out like sore [atlasobscura.com]

• Limb Weakness

  In either case foot strengthening exercises and correction of any lower limb weaknesses will be indicated. [danceinjurydvd.com]

• Shuffling Gait

  gait. hammer toe deformity of a toe in which the proximal phalanx is extended and the second and distal phalanges are flexed, causing a clawlike appearance; it most often affects the second toe. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

The diagnosis of Morton’s toe can be suspected on a physical exam where the first metatarsal may appear to be much shorter than the second metatarsal. However, to confirm the diagnosis a plain X-ray of the foot is required. Usually no other imaging studies are needed. In rare cases, a CT scan may be performed in severely symptomatic patients to ensure that there is no other underlying pathology of the foot pain [7].

When a patient presents with pain in the forefoot, it is important to consider other more well-known causes such as:

• Morton neuroma
• Metatarsalgia
• Plantar fasciitis
• Callus
• Bunion
• Hammer toe
• Arthritis
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Sciatica

For asymptomatic patients, no treatment is required, but proper shoes can be recommended. For symptomatic patients, selection of proper shoe wear is essential. In general shoes with a wide and high toe box are recommended. Experts suggest that buying shoes a half size bigger to accommodate the longer second toe may be ideal. Further to support the arch, orthotic appliances can help keep the foot aligned. For those who develop calluses, a metatarsal pad can help relieve the stress on the head of the joints. For people who do not like to wear wide shoes, one may wear sandals. The majority of patients see relief from pain with these supportive measures. Surgery is almost never required for Morton's toe. If surgery is offered, a second opinion should be considered from an independent surgeon.

The prognosis for most patients with Morton's toe is excellent. Once the individual starts to use orthotic appliances or wear the right type of shoes, the pain disappears. However, a lifelong commitment to proper shoes is required to prevent he pain from recurring.

The cause of Morton's toe is unknown but most experts believe that it is hereditary. The genetic transmission is not complete and not everyone in the family develops Morton's toe. Factors that can exacerbate the symptoms include prolonged standing and walking and wearing tight constrictive shoes.

Even though Morton’s toe is often described in the orthopedic literature as a foot disorder, there are some who believe that it may just be a normal variant of the shape of the foot. For this reason its prevalence is quite variable in the literature. Most foot surgeons believe it to be a common presentation, albeit, without any symptoms. Outpatient clinic data indicate that Morton’s toe occurs in about 10% of the adult population, but in people who seek help for forefoot pain, the disorder is seen in about 80% of the individuals.

Morton’s toe can occur in both genders and in all races. However, because the deformity is asymptomatic, most people never come to medical attention and thus, the exact number of people affected remains unknown. Affected individuals usually present with symptoms in the second or third decade of life.

Because the second metatarsal is long, it places the joint base of the 2nd toe further forward, and thus, the horizontal plane along the metatarsal joints is uneven. The shortened first metatarsal and elongated second metatarsal cause to unevenness in the joint and laxity. This leads to transference of pressure on the head of the second and third metatarsal, leading to callus formation. There is also evidence that excess pronation of the foot due to the abnormal joint can lead to forefoot pain. This primarily occurs because during walking because the longitudinal arch of the foot sinks and the ankle turns inwards. The pronation leads to both functional and postural problems which causes the leg to be functionally lengthened or shortened and the extremity will internally rotate.

If severe, this can lead to an anatomically shortened leg, which leads to sagging of the pelvis on that side. Over time this can lead to mild to moderate scoliosis or kyphosis. The abnormal posture of the lower spine creates torque forces caused by the internal rotation of the leg, resulting in pain in various joints of the extremity. However, postural and functional changes are only seen in a few rare severe cases and even when this occurs, the cause is not always solely Morton's toe but other musculoskeletal disorders [5] [6].

It is not possible to prevent Morton’s toe as the cause is not known. However, once the diagnosis is made, patients should adhere to use of orthotic appliance and proper shoe wear to prevent symptoms.

Morton’s toe is a foot disorder also known as Greek foot, Morton’s foot or the Royal toe. The distinct feature about this condition is that the first metatarsal located behind the big toe is much shorter compared to the second metatarsal. The longer second metatarsal places the joint at the base of the second toe. Because of the abnormal anatomy, the first metatarsal can be hypermobile and have variable laxity.

Morton’s toe causes excessive pressure from weight bearing on the second metatarsal head, which results in discomfort that is similar to the pain encountered with metatarsalgia. The constant unrelenting pressure on the head of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads while standing or ambulating, leads to callus formation. The condition is often mistaken for Morton’s neuroma, which is a syndrome associated with pain caused by a neuroma between the third and fourth heads of the metatarsals [1] [2] [3] [4].

Morton’s toe is a disorder of the foot, where one of the bones of the big toe is much shorter than that of the second toe. Thus, the first toe length not only appears shorter but the entire joint of the rest of the forefoot appears misaligned. Most people have no symptoms but a few people may have an odd pain in the foot and others may develop calluses. This pain is often worsened by wearing tight shoes. The diagnosis can be confirmed with an X-ray of the foot. The treatment of Morton’s toe is usually non-surgical with the use of orthotic appliances and better shoes. The condition unfortunately cannot be reversed or cured and hence, lifelong use of orthotic devices is required. Morton’s toe is a benign condition and symptoms usually subside once treatment is undertaken.

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2. DiPreta JA. Metatarsalgia, lesser toe deformities, and associated disorders of the forefoot. Med Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;98(2):233-51.
3. Ashman CJ, Klecker RJ, Yu JS. Forefoot pain involving the metatarsal region: differential diagnosis with MR imaging.
4. Doty JF, Coughlin MJ. Metatarsophalangeal joint instability of the lesser toes. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2014 Jul-Aug;53(4):440-5.
5. Goud A, Khurana B, Chiodo C, Weissman BN. Women's musculoskeletal foot conditions exacerbated by shoe wear: an imaging perspective. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2011 Apr;40(4):183-91.
6. Yanagida T, Asami T. Age-related changes in distribution of body weight on soles of feet for selected actions and postures. Percept Mot Skills. 1997 Dec;85(3 Pt 2):1263-71.
7. Nouh MR, Khalil AA. Forefoot: a basic integrated imaging perspective for radiologists. Clin Imaging. 2014 Jul-Aug;38(4):397-409.