Does anyone have spasticity in their big toe, mine keeps bending underneath when I am trying to get my shoe on. I do manage but have to take care it is not bent otherwise walking is painful
2 Likes
Many people with upper motor neuron conditions (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or hereditary spastic paraplegia) experience spasticity in the toe flexors, particularly flexor hallucis longus and flexor hallucis brevis . That can make the big toe bend underneath the other toes or curl down into the sole of the foot.
Common scenarios people report:
- Toe catches on the shoe opening when trying to slide the foot in.
- Once the shoe is on, the toe stays curled under, causing pressure pain on the toe pad or the top of the toe rubbing against the shoe upper.
- Walking feels like stepping on a pebble or marble under the ball of the foot.
What can help (based on patient and therapist experiences):
- Toe separators / spacers – Soft silicone ones worn just inside the shoe can keep the big toe aligned.
- Toe crest / metatarsal pad – Placed behind the toe joints to encourage extension.
- Stretching – Daily manual stretching of the big toe upward, holding 30–60 seconds, repeated several times.
- Orthotics – A custom insole with a “toe prop” or a Morton’s extension to limit toe flexion.
- Footwear – Shoes with a deep, wide toe box and soft upper (e.g., some Hoka, New Balance, or orthopedic extra-depth shoes).
- Grounding/Earthing – A number of people with post-stroke spasticity anecdotally report that after sleeping on an Earthing sheet or walking barefoot on grass for 30+ minutes daily for weeks, they notice less “tightness” or fewer spontaneous spasms in their calves and toes.
1 Like