Toe splints are used for several conditions. Many companies manufacture splinting pads and devices designed to hold the toes in a certain position. Most splints are made to fit inside the shoe, but some bunion splints are made to be worn at night while sleeping. The splints are made of a combination of plastic, foam and gel. Toe splints are used to treat fractures and some structural deformities of the toes.
Splints for Fractured Toes
Of the 26 bones in the foot, 15 are in the toes. A broken toe should be evaluated by a physician to determine whether any of the long bones, called metatarsals, are involved. Any of the bones in the toe, no matter how tiny, can suffer a fracture, typically when they are stubbed or when something heavy is dropped on them.
The symptoms of a toe fracture are swelling and pain, possibly with bruising. According to MayoClinic.com, a fracture of the toe typically is set with a splint. The affected toe is "buddy-taped" to the toe next to it. The unaffected toe functions as a splint, effectively immobilizing the fractured toe. Lamb's wool or moleskin felt is usually placed between the toes to prevent rubbing.
Bunion Splints
A bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the first toe, or hallux. The medical name for a bunion is hallux valgus. A large bump forms at the joint, and the first toe drifts toward the outside of the foot, causing a deformity. Initially, the bunion may not be painful, but pain and swelling can develop over time, particularly if the joint becomes arthritic. Bunions tend to form as a result of abnormal foot posture, which leads to instability of the joint.
Night splints can slow the progression of a bunion. One such splint consists of a plastic brace that straps the first toe into a corrected position. It has soft foam underneath to prevent rubbing. The splint works by stretching the tight tendons and muscles.
Hammertoe Splints
A hammertoe occurs when a contracted tendon puts pressure on the middle joint of the smaller toes, causing the joint to cock up and the toe to angle downward. According to Foot Health Facts, a hammertoe generally starts out as a mild deformity but gets progressively worse. The joint that is sitting up high rubs against the top of the shoe, causing pain and possibly forming a corn in reaction to the pressure.
Hammertoes occur because of an imbalance between the muscles and tendons that attach to the toe. Splints can be used to hold the toe in correct alignment. Hammertoe splints extend the curled toe into a straighter position. One such splint is a teardrop-shaped foam pad with one or more elastic loops. The elastic loop fits over the hammertoe, pulling it down into a corrected position.
