It probably is no surprise that your big toe is the most important when maintaining balance and bearing body weight. Your big toes bear just about 2 times the amount of weight as all your other toes combined! It still should not shock you that the pinky toes are the least important.
You lose balance if you remove one part of that tripod. So even though the pinky toe itself has no functional value, removing the metatarsal would make running, walking and skipping nearly impossible.
The pinky toe is still an important player in walking, running, and other dynamic movements, and it still provides valuable feedback about the condition of the terrain through sensory feedback.
Additionally, the big toe helps the feet balance when an individual puts weight on their feet. Ultimately, the big toe is what helps keep an individual from falling anytime that they stand or engage in motion activities. Without the big toe, the foot would essentially have to relearn how to balance.
Even though the big toe is a big deal, losing it happens more often than most would think. However, losing this toe will not hinder your ability to do the things you want to do in life. You might be a little unsteady but, the proper exercises can help you increase your overall static and dynamic balances.
You may have problems with walking or balance, especially if you lose your big toe. You may need to have special insoles made to fit in your shoes. These insoles are called orthotics.
While the big toe is said to be the most critical one, the importance of our pinky toe is no less. Losing any of the toes might not stop you from walking or running, but it can adversely affect your foot's biomechanics and be psychologically distressing.
“If you remove one part of that tripod, you lose balance.” So even though the pinky toe itself has no functional value, removing the metatarsal would make running, walking and skipping nearly impossible. This story was produced in partnership with Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
How Missing Toes Affect Your Life. Losing one or more toes does not necessarily mean that you won't be able to walk or even run again. However, it will adversely affect your balance and stability, and potentially change your walking biomechanics.
The big toe carries the most weight of all the toes, bearing about 40 percent of the load. The big toe is also the last part of the foot to push off the ground before taking the next step. A nine-toed gait is less efficient, slower and shorter, but no less effective. "You're going to look choppier," Dugan says.
The least important of your toes are undoubtedly your pinky toes. As the smallest toes, they bear the least weight and have the least impact on maintaining balance. People born without pinky toes or those who lose one in an accident will see very little, if any, changes to how their feet function.
It still should not shock you that the pinky toes are the least important. People born without pinky toes or those who lose them in accidents will see very little change in the function of their feet.
What do they do? Our toes play an important role in our balance and movement. Approximately 75% of our bodyweight is supported by them and the balls of the feet when walking. Generally speaking, we need our toes to be able to spread wide, to provide a good, stable foundation for the rest of our body!
The main function of your toes is to provide posture and balance, support our body weight, and propulsion during the gait cycle. Not only do your toes help thrust your body forward when you walk, they actually help increase the length of your stride allowing you to run faster.
Ageing toenails can become very difficult to safely care for at home and can cause pain, affecting your balance and increasing your falls risk and can also increase the likelihood of ulcerations forming under the nail.
Little toe pain can be caused by a number of things including a stubbed toe, broken toe, ingrown toenail, bunions, corns or ill-fitting shoes. There are many reasons for little toe pain.
Toe amputation implications for daily life
Toes are important for balance and provide support when walking. Consequently, losing one or more toes can affect balance in the short-term. Having a big toe amputated has a more dramatic impact, as it bears the brunt of your weight when walking.
These areas may have to make unnatural adjustments to make up for the absence of normal foot support. The discomfort caused by a hammertoe can contribute to imbalance and potential falls, especially as you age and your natural balance weakens.
What Happens if Toe Walking is Not Addressed? Toe walking can lead to tight, stiff muscles in the legs and hips, as well as weakness and impaired balance. If left untreated, tight muscles in the calves can turn into muscle contractures and decreased range of motion which require casting or surgery to correct.
In some clients, the baby toe is normally sized, but the nail plate is tiny. This may be a genetic condition, and it's common among people with microdactyly. It also can be caused by pressure that partially or completely destroys the nail matrix, that area under the skin where the nail develops.
If you have an amputation, you could be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if your limitations prevent you from working. Having a finger or toe amputated causes different limitations than having a foot, hand, leg, or arm amputated.
Heel Toe (Tightrope) Walking
Stand next to a stable surface or wall to hold on if needed. Walk forwards, placing one foot directly in front of the other as though walking along a tightrope. Try to place the heel of one foot as close as possible to the toes of your other foot.
You may need to wear a cast or a special type of shoe for about 2 to 4 weeks. You may think you have feeling or pain where your toe had been. This is called phantom pain. It is common, and it may come and go for a year or longer.