Buzz
On this episode of Burning Questions, we shift our focus to toes, a topic that might come as a welcome change for those who’ve followed our recent discussions. As always, I’m here to tackle those quirky questions you’d hesitate to ask anyone else.
Today’s query comes from a reader who finds his toes utterly baffling.
The toes on your feet? Most people can wiggle each one independently or even curl them tightly enough to tuck them beneath their foot. It appears to be a universal ability.
I, however, cannot.
I’m unable to curl my toes, wiggle them individually, or tuck them under my foot. I can’t perform any of those actions, whether on the carpet or elsewhere!
I’m not sure why this is the case. A doctor might simply advise me to stretch more, but my big toe has limited mobility and starts to hurt when pushed too far. My feet are otherwise healthy, and I don’t have any rare conditions—just asthma.
Searching online hasn’t yielded any answers, and I’ve never brought this up with my doctor. I’m curious if there’s a name for this and how I might improve the flexibility in my feet.
Actually, I can’t wiggle all of my toes individually. The only toe I can move independently is my big toe. Are others more skilled at toe-wiggling than the two of us? The Little Mermaid can, but she might not be the best example.
I asked our questioner to send a video to determine if his toes were truly unusual. I thought I’d have to explain that not everyone has graceful, flexible toes. But after seeing his video, it’s clear—his situation isn’t normal.
Our letter writer appears to have no ability to bend his toes. In a follow-up email, he mentioned that he anticipated the experts I reached out to would instantly identify the issue: “I assumed they’d say, ‘Oh, that’s a classic case of _______.’ I thought this condition would have a name!”
Surprisingly, this condition doesn’t have a name. Let’s explore the potential explanations, starting from the most concerning to the least, and conclude by highlighting how we all fall short compared to animated mermaids.
The Serious Possibilities
“If he had suffered a traumatic injury or was dealing with intense back pain and suddenly lost the ability to move his toes, I’d suspect a spinal cord injury or severe nerve compression. However, that doesn’t seem to apply here,” explains physical therapist Jasmine Marcus. Another expert, Jason Kart, notes that conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to difficulties in toe movement. He also mentions that brain-related issues could impair foot muscle activation, but “there would typically be other unusual symptoms accompanying it.”
Conditions like gout and bunions can also affect toe mobility, but neither seems to be the cause in this situation.
Stretching and Strengthening
Marcus inquired if our questioner can manually bend his toes by using his hands to position them. “If he can, the issue is likely muscular, and I’d suggest stretching and strengthening the foot muscles.” The questioner confirmed he can bend them manually, though his big toe has limited flexibility and produces a snapping sound when forced.
“Continue stretching, but there might be an issue with the toe joints, such as arthritis,” she explains. Kart also mentions the possibility of a small bone spur.
Both experts agreed that our questioner should focus on stretching and strengthening his foot and lower leg muscles. Poor toe flexibility during walking can force the legs and hips to compensate, potentially leading to injuries. Conversely, leg issues can also impact foot health.
During our discussion, the questioner mentioned he’s only ever experienced shin splints as a leg issue. “Now the truth emerges!” Kart remarked. Shin splints are often linked to flat feet, which are associated with overstretched foot muscles. The muscles responsible for toe curling might simply be too weak to function properly.
Regardless of the underlying cause, toe exercises are likely to offer some improvement by enhancing strength, flexibility, and possibly even motor control, giving our letter-writer hope of one day wiggling his toes. A great starting point: toe yoga.
But What’s Considered Normal?
Is it truly unusual to have toes that are somewhat stiff or difficult to move individually? Kart assures us that this is completely normal:
As a physical therapist, I examine feet daily. There’s a vast array of structural differences. A simple trip to the beach will show you what I mean. Some variations are genetic, while others result from walking patterns. The range of what’s considered normal is quite broad.
Not being able to wiggle your toes individually isn’t a problem unless you’re a non-human primate. Our big toe has specific muscles for movement, allowing it to operate independently. Unlike the hand, the other toes share muscles, making individual movement difficult. (That’s why you can’t flip someone the middle toe.)
That concludes this edition of Burning Questions. If you have any pressing questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] (make sure to include BURNING QUESTION in the subject line), or submit them anonymously via bethskw.sarahah.com.
