Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 12/1/2007

Question
I have been dancing 11 years and from pointe my toes are turnin in and the bone on the side of my big toe is sticking out further then i think it should. I was wondering how i can get my toes to go back to there normal postition?

Answer
Hi Kayleigh. It sounds to me like you have bunions. This can be an inherited dispostion, but can also be caused by sickling out on pointe, or wearing too narrow shoes.

You don't tell you age, but whatever it is, I recommend you see a chiropractor. They are very good at giving exercises for remedying this condition, as much as it can be fixed.

In extreme circumstances, a podiatrist will recommend surgery. Dancers tend to avoid this, as pain can be controlled without surgery, and surgery creates scar tissue.

Pieces of sponge can be inserted between your big and second toe, in pointe shoes, to keep the big toe straight. Like a make up wedge. This will help. Your toes will probably never go back to normal, but the progress of this condition may be  controlled.

Please let me know how it goes trying any of these ideas.
All the best, Dianne

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