Claw Toe – Not the Next Avenger’s Superhero Power!

This toe problem sounds like something from a superhero action movie, but in reality it is a very common toe condition. It is a deformity that results in one or more toes of the foot curling downward, often pressing into the soles of shoes.

What causes a claw toe? 

Claw toe is often lumped into the toe problem family with hammertoe and mallet toe. The difference lies in which toes and what joints are affected. When patients come into our Houston, TX office seeking treatment, they often believe bad shoes are to blame. Tight, pointed-toe shoes can aggravate toes and make existing deformities worse but are not usually the primary culprit. Trauma and inflammation can also cause this problem, but it is usually nerve damage that weakens muscles and causes toes to curl down abnormally. Diabetes and alcoholism are primary diseases that contribute to nerve damage in the feet.

Early treatment is key! Claw toes are often flexible at first but can progress and harden in place over time. Avoid this by looking for telltale signs: toes are bent upward at the joint nearest the forefoot, toes are bent downward at the middle joint, toes are bent downward at the top joint and corns on the tops of toes or under the ball of the foot.

We find our patients who are proactive at the beginning stages benefit greatly from simple shoe modifications, padding, splinting and taping and toe exercises. If your condition has progressed beyond these conservative measures, we can discuss more aggressive treatment options or the need for surgery.

Don’t let a toe deformity get to the point where you are stuck at home and unable to enjoy life like you should. We are here to help you! Contact or call Houston Foot Specialists at (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment today.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Find the Best Walking Shoes for You
• Best Shoes for People with Flat Feet
• Hammer-Claw-and-Mallet-Toe-Surgery-Best Podiatrist in Manhattan - Scott Melamed DPM Podiatry

Hallux Limitus

Are you hobbling around with big toe pain?

We often don’t think of our feet or toes for that matter until they are hurt or stubbed on the coffee table in the middle of the night. Even though a toe is one of the smallest parts on your body, it can be very painful and debilitating when a problem or injury occurs.

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX has treated many patients who have come in complaining of pain in their big toe. A common reason for this is something called hallux limitus. Often referred to as a “stiff big toe joint,” this condition is characterized by localized pain, stiffness and limited range of motion at the joint of the big toe. 


You may not have realized that the achy feeling in your big toe was caused by hallux limitus. Here are some other symptoms to help you diagnose whether or not you may have this condition:

• A bump at the top of the big toe joint
• Pain that worsens with walking or exercise
• A callus on the side of the big toe
• Inability to flex your big toe upwards

Are you wondering how hallux limitus may have developed? It is normally caused by an abnormal alignment of a bone in your big toe joint. Repetitive trauma to your toe, a second toe that is longer than the first, arthritis and flat feet are other common factors that can result in hallux limitus.

This condition can cause other painful problems if not treated so we encourage you to contact us if you have any stiffness or pain in your big toe. We have several effective treatment options that can relieve your symptoms and stop the progression of this condition. Call Dr. Bowman today at (713) 467-8886 or make an appointment with our podiatric office online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Hallux Varus
• I Have A Stiff Big Toe!
• Big toe isn't biggest culprit in gout flare-ups; other joints tied to higher risk

Hallux Varus

What is Hallux Varus?

There are several foot conditions that can cause deformity to your toes. One condition that specifically affects the big toe joint is called hallux varus. Hallux varus causes the big toe to push away from the other toes, unlike a bunion that forces it inward.

Hallux varus most commonly develops from complications following bunion surgery. There have been cases though where this condition occurred from a congenital deformity, trauma, tight or short tendons, the removal of a sesamoid bone from the big toe joint or a certain form of arthritis.

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX, can treat any type of foot condition or deformity. His expertise and state-of-the-art treatment options can provide thorough diagnosis and appropriate treatment tailored to your needs. Hallux varus can cause quite a bit of pain. The leaning outward of the toe can cause it to press against shoes resulting in blisters, ingrown toenails and possible dislocation of the toe joint.

The treatment of hallux varus will depend on the severity of your condition. You may have a mild case where the joint is still flexible and may respond well to splinting, corrective shoes or specific exercises. If these methods do not provide relief, surgery may be required to straighten the toe. If surgery is necessary, you can trust Dr. Bowman and his caring staff to walk with you every step of the way.

If you have a deformity such as hallux varus or another type that is causing pain and interfering with your life, please contact us for help. Contact our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or schedule an appointment online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Hallux Rigidus
• What Is This Bump On My Big Toe?
• The Future For Toning Shoes

Raynaud’s Disease

Do you often have cold fingers and toes?

Cold toes and fingers can be a slight annoyance but when they are like that on a regular basis, there could something more serious going on. There is a condition called Raynaud’s disease that can cause certain parts of your body, namely fingers, the tip of your nose, toes and ears to feel numb and cold.

A flare-up of this condition can happen when you are exposed to colder temperatures or when you are under stress. The disease causes a narrowing of the small arteries that provide blood to your skin. This constricting of the blood vessels is called a vasospasm.

How often these spasms happen and how long they last will affect the symptoms you will experience. Most people complain of cold fingers and toes, color changes in the skin and prickly or stinging feeling as the area warms up again.

Raynaud’s disease is more common among young women but there unfortunately is no known cause, aside from stress and cold temperatures. For some people, going through an emotional experience or simply taking something out of a freezer can trigger an episode.

If you are experiencing the symptoms we have mentioned in your feet, make an appointment to visit foot specialist, Dr. Jeff Bowman. He can provide self-care tips and prevention strategies to reduce the number and severity of your attacks and prevent any future damage. On a personal note, Dr. Bowman knows this first hand because he also has it. Call our podiatric office in Houston, TX (713) 467-8886 or request an appointment online www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

Related articles

• Sleeping with Socks On
• Im going with disability....can someone say BURRRR...
• Beer and Swollen Feet: Is There a Connection?

Hallux Rigidus

Why is my big toe stiff and painful?

We often don’t realize the importance of small parts of our body until they are out of commission or aren’t able to function properly. The big toe is one of those little parts that have a bigger job than we realize.

Your big toe is used whenever you stand, walk, climb, run or crouch down. A common disorder that affects the big toe joint is something called hallux rigidus. It is the most common form of arthritis in the foot. It causes pain and stiffness and as it progresses over time can make the joint at the base of the big toe unmovable.

How do I know if I have hallux rigidus?

Being able to properly diagnose what you are experiencing is the first step in finding the right course of treatment. Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX offers the following symptoms to watch out for with hallux rigidus:

• Difficulty with activities such as running and walking

• A bump resembling a callus or bunion on the top of your foot

• Stiffness in your big toe with a difficulty when bending it up or down

• Swelling or inflammation around the toe joint

• Difficulty wearing shoes

• Pain in the big toe joint

This degenerative condition usually develops from a wear and tear injury. A faulty foot structure, an inherited foot type that is prone to developing the condition, a job that puts stress on your big toe and gout are all causes for hallux rigidus.

Catching the signs of hallux rigidus early makes this condition easier to treat. Bone spurs can develop over time making it more difficult to manage and much more painful. Dr. Bowman can offer several treatment options for hallux rigidus such as: orthotics, physical therapy, medications and shoe modifications or some cases require surgery. Please contact our podiatric office today for help. Call (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Have a Bunion? What Shoes Should I Wear?
• Big toe, Big job.
• Pain Under The Toes? Read All About It!

Your Ingrown Toenail May be Subungual Exotosis

Toenail problems can be more than just a nuisance – they can be downright painful! A stubbed toe on the coffee table in the middle of the night can lead to clenched teeth and gasps of pain.

Toe problems are a common complaint seen at Houston Foot Specialists. Painful, ingrown toenails are one issue that brings many people into Dr. Jeff Bowman’s Houston, TX podiatric office. What seems to be a simple case of an ingrown toenail could actually be something much more serious.

Subungual Exotosis is a toe problem that is often mistaken as an ingrown toenail at first glance. An x-ray will expose the true source of pain. This is a condition where a bone spur develops under the toenail. It is often explained as a benign  growth from bone and cartilage, called an osteochondroma. In most cases, it occurs due to trauma to the toe although a hereditary abnormality or chronic infection could cause it as well.

Typically, a small hard bump that comes to a point will form under the nail and start growing upward. The pressure from the expanding exotosis on the nail can make walking very painful due to shoe pressure. Eventually the nail can become thin and brittle and the bone spur can push the nail completely off. This leaves tissues exposed and puts the toe at risk for infection. Subungual exotosis usually develops during adolescence due to growing bone and is more common in women who consistently wear ill-fitting shoes. It can develop gradually over weeks or months but can also appear quickly after an injury.

If you have any of the described symptoms, contact Dr. Bowman as soon as possible. Unfortunately, surgery is the most common way to fully treat this painful condition but it is effective and Dr. Bowman is a trusted podiatrist with years of experience treating feet. Call our office today (713) 467-8886 or visit our website for more information at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

Related articles

• Painful Foot Conditions-Podiatrists in 10003, Manhattan - Scott Melamed DPM Podiatry
• 10 Ways to Treat Ingrown Toenails
• Tips to Avoid Fungal Infections