Capsulitis

If you regularly go barefoot or wear socks without shoes, you’re also more likely to have capsulitis, or forefoot inflammation. At Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, with offices in Atoka, Cordova, and East Memphis, Tennessee, the highly skilled podiatrists work with people of all ages to diagnose and treat capsulitis. Call the nearest office to learn more about the treatment of capsulitis today, or book online.

What is capsulitis?

Capsulitis is a common but painful condition that occurs when the ligaments surrounding one or more of your toe joints become inflamed due to too much pressure on the front of your foot. These ligaments form a protective capsule, providing your toe joints with a wide range of motion.

Capsulitis can affect any of your toes, but it commonly occurs in the ligaments of the second toe. Without intervention and treatment, the inflammation results in chronic pain and/or a dislocated toe.

What are the symptoms of capsulitis?

Symptoms of capsulitis include:

• Pain in the ball of the foot
• Feeling like there’s something stuck in your sock or shoe
• Swelling at the base of the affected toe
• Difficulty wearing shoes

As the condition worsens, you might also have difficulty walking around barefoot. 

When should I see a podiatrist about capsulitis?

Make an appointment with the providers at Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists if you have chronic pain at the base of your toes or in the balls of your feet. That’s especially true if your affected toe curls over or under the surrounding toes –– a condition called crossover toe. Crossover toe is the end stage of capsulitis and may affect your mobility and quality of life.

How is capsulitis diagnosed?

To diagnose capsulitis, your Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists provider reviews your medical charts and asks about your symptoms. Next, they complete an exam. Your surgeon checks your forefoot and the bottoms of your toes for redness, swelling, or bruising. 

They gently press on your toes to pinpoint sensitive areas and move your toes from side to side to trigger your symptoms. Your provider also orders a series of X-rays to assess the stability of your toe joints.

How is capsulitis treated?

At Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, the providers treat capsulitis with conservative and nonsurgical measures whenever possible. They might recommend:

• Rest and ice
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication
• Taping and splinting
• Stretching exercises to relieve tight calf muscles
• Wearing supportive shoes with stiff soles
• Custom orthotics

If conservative treatments don’t provide lasting relief, or you have a crossover toe, your provider recommends surgery. During surgery, your provider uses special tools to release the ligaments causing your toe to bend abnormally.

Call the nearest Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists office to learn more about treatment for capsulitis today, or book online.