You might remember playing leapfrog as a kid, creating a train of friends hopping over friends. It was a good time—although one that sounds more tiring thinking back upon it now than it did then. When toes play leap frog, however, it’s not as fun. Overlapping toes are a relatively common condition seen in newborns and young children, and one that appears to be inherited.

There have been superstitions through history of overlapping toes being a sign of both good luck and bad luck. The reality is that an overlap often causes no pain or other symptoms in infants and small children. It rarely straightens itself on its own, however, and that’s where they might be some cause for concern.

As children grow, deformities that were rather flexible in nature can grow stiff and rigid. This can result in problems with pain and walking in some cases. There are adults who have had overlapping toes all their lives and have suffered no ill effects, but some cases may lead to problems.

It is possible for overlapping toes to be treated conservatively when addressed early, using methods such as binding, taping, stretches, and changes in footwear. Odds of these treatments being successful are not high, however, and surgery might be necessary if other methods fail. We will fully discuss all options with you and your family during this process.

Dr. Mark Gasparini of Foot Specialists of Long Island is here to provide the best diagnosis and treatment for any age. Contact our Massapequa office at (516) 804-9038 to schedule an appointment.

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