What Is Capsulitis of 2nd toe (Predislocation syndrome)?
Capsulitis of the second toe, also known as predislocation syndrome is sometimes a precursor before a hammer toe becomes a hammer toe. Sometimes a patient will present after trauma to the toe with capsulitis and other times they can not relate any history of trauma. This is where it is our job as your podiatrist to dig deeper and investigate why this is happening.
Symptoms of a Capsulitis or Predislocation syndrome of the 2nd toe
Technically, this could happen under any of the metatarsal heads but just happens to be most common at the 2nd toe at the ball of the foot. Patients will often complain of swelling and redness at the ball of the foot under the second toe. They may have a history of trauma but some just complain it hurts a lot in that area under the toe walking barefoot.
Many patients are misdiagnosed with a Morton's neuroma and because of the treatment not being exactly what they need, they do not get better.
Treatment for Capsulitis of the 2nd MPJ (Pre dislocation Syndrome)
Treatment can be pretty simple. We have you rest the area, ice and strap the toe down as seen in the video here. Some patients have a hard time splinting the toe down and we sometimes modify their shoe gear with a pad to take pressure off of the area. It can take 2-3 months of splinting the toe to get 100% better and only in rare occassions is surgery required.
.jpeg "Normal and Bunion feet")
Dr. Henne & McGowan Discuss Difference Between Capsulitis and a Neuroma
How to splint the toe down:
If you need to splint down your toe, this video shows you how to do it. Click on the link below:
