Do you feel like you’re walking on a marble, even when there’s nothing there? Is there a nagging pain in the ball of your foot near your second toe? You might be experiencing Pre-Dislocation Syndrome, a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to significant toe deformities and require surgery. Advanced Foot Care of NJ breaks down symptoms, treatments, and more in the blog below.

What is Pre-Dislocation Syndrome?

Pre-Dislocation Syndrome, as the name suggests, is a condition that occurs before a full dislocation of the joint. It most commonly affects the joint where the second toe meets the foot (the second metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTPJ).

While a dislocation in a major joint (like a shoulder or knee) is usually caused by a significant injury, Pre-Dislocation Syndrome in the toe can develop without any specific trauma.

Spotting the Signs

The most common symptom is a feeling of fullness or pressure on the ball of the foot near the second toe. Patients often describe it as:

Feeling like they’re stepping on a marble or a ball.
Feeling like their sock is bunched up, even when it’s not.
Pain is most pronounced when walking barefoot.

Who’s at Risk?

While the exact cause isn’t always clear, women over 40 are most commonly affected. Individuals with flatter arches (flat feet) are more prone to this condition, too.

Visual Clues

Sometimes there are visible signs, but not always. Watch for:

Normal Appearance: In many cases, the toes look perfectly normal, even though there’s pain.
Subtle Changes: The second toe might be slightly curled, raised, or separated from the third toe.
Significant Deformity: In advanced cases, the second toe can become significantly deformed and even overlap the big toe.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis can prevent this condition from progressing.

If there’s pain but no visible deformity, the chances of preventing a dislocation (and potentially avoiding surgery) are much higher.
If there’s any toe misalignment (even without pain), get it checked!

Ignoring the problem can lead to a ligament tear, so don’t!

Options for treatment or symptom management may include:

Taping/Splinting/Padding
Custom Orthotics
Clarix Flo injections to reduce inflammation or manage pain (used judiciously).

If conservative options fail or if a ligament tear has occurred, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged tissues and realign the toe. Don’t delay; see a podiatrist for prompt diagnosis and treatment instead!

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, our doctor and staff look forward to resolving all of your family’s podiatric healthcare needs. We proudly serve the communities of Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!