Have you experienced 2nd toe capsulitis?

[Palmtree]

Has anyone here experienced 2nd toe capsulitis? I hear it is quite common among runners but mine came about after a week of rigorous hiking while on vacation in September. I thought it would go away but after a few months it persisted, so I went to see a podiatrist. He took x-rays then explained how it capsulitis of the 2nd toe happens and advising me to buy arch supports. I asked what treatments I should do to get over it. Should I do mild walking exercises or not. Should I do stretches or not, etc. He was very non-committal on any recommended treatment (besides the arch supports) and generally unhelpful on any course of action.

It’s been four months now and I am still experiencing it. If you have had this problem in the past, please let me know what worked for you. We are planning on an extended vacation in a few months where a lot of walking is involved so I really need to be pro-active and address this now.

[Sunset]

I didn't know it was a thing even though I've had this issue to a mild degree.

I just thought it was my foot knuckle was a little too large as it started to hurt when walking barefoot on the tiles.
So now I wear slippers with memory foam insoles in them all the time, it appears to have helped as yesterday I walked around without the slippers and didn't have an issue.
However, I'll keep wearing the slippers so it doesn't come back.

Maybe OP could try a memory foam insole inside the shoes, and to not do any extreme/rigorous running/hiking/walking for a few months.
Basically be proactive by doing less

[chassis]

Sorry to hear of the situation. If I were in this situation, I would self-educate and focus on rehab. Probably NSAIDs as a start, plus rest.

The physician recommended that you should spend more money but did not offer a suggestion for low or no cost treatment? Find a new practitioner. The guy sounds like a bum. Does his practice sell arch supports? Serious question.

[Bob_Walter]

Yes, I have had it and very very familiar with it. 2nd met head joint. I also had a neuroma between the met joints.

Had capsulitis surgery about 10 yeas ago. They went in and sawed the met bone to shorten and lift it and repair the broken capsule, put a screw in the bone, cut a ligament to give the neuroma more room.

I tried EVERYTHING prior to surgery. It's been pretty much fine since the surgery although I wish I had the neuroma removed.

You can try a custom orthodic and while their casting it, have them bend back the second toe as it sets. I had some pretty radical lifts that I put on top of the orthodics behind the dorsal to the capsule to lift it.

I even went on vacations with a walking boot, it hurts so bad.

You can try injection of cortisone before you go. I had it all, cortisone, alcohol injections (about 20), nothing really helped until I got surgery.

[Palmtree]

Bob, sorry to hear that you eventually had to have surgery, but I'm glad that it did eventually help. I'm really hoping to avoid going down that road if I can.

[MBAustin]

I developed it early in the pandemic from walking in bad shoes, made much worse by trying to ignore it for several months before seeing a podiatrist. It was so bad that my 2nd toe pulls over towards my big toe - fortunately I didn't let it go so long that it actually crossed over, which can happen. Podiatrist prescribed Cadence EX-MP insoles for my shoes and said to wear shoes with good support (he likes New Balance for walking/running shoes). The insoles are not custom and I bought them at a local shoe store that specializes in foot issues (the prescription meant I didn't have to pay sales tax on them for the first year). I also bought Vionic slippers as it is uncomfortable for me to walk barefoot or in a flat slipper - must have arch support. I do wear Birkenstocks in the warm weather for everyday shoes, but not for distance walking anymore. Good luck!

[Palmtree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBAustin I Podiatrist prescribed Cadence EX-MP insoles for my shoes and said to wear shoes with good support (he likes New Balance for walking/running shoes). I also bought Vionic slippers as it is uncomfortable for me to walk barefoot or in a flat slipper

Thank you. I would like to know that if by wearing the Cadence EX-MP insoles, do you feel that your problem/injury has gone away? Or did it just help with the pain.

My Podiatrist recommended and sold Power Step insoles. I didn't purchase from him, as they were also available at Amazon. I also purchased metatarsal pads to go under them. It's only been a few days so I'm waiting to see if I can tell a difference.