Space between 2nd and 3rd toes, L foot, is widening for no apparent reason. When I walk, I have pain in those toes and it feels as if gross swelling is taking place, but it isn't. What is this - circulation or something else?

Excellent. I’ve changed to more common comfortable and sensible shoes and have been using gel pads, and my feet have improved.

I had a trigger finger and was advised my Chinese medicine doctor to put a splint on it every night to relieve the inflammation. I did this for several months and haven't had to have a cortisone shot or surgery. It's been about 5 yrs that I no longer have this problem. It started to happen once again. I simply used the splint on my finger a few days and it was fine again. Try this first, it's a lot cheaper and less painful.

Were you able to find an official diagnosis of this? A friend of mine started having this same issue with no pain a couple of days ago and your response seems to be the closest to what she's experiencing.

I used to be on 50 mcg levothyroxin. After a year or two I noticed my toes were spreading apart. Reduced dosage to 25 mcg and toes went back together. My doctor didn't see the correlation but I do.

I read something relative called Morton's Neuroma that appears to be what you may have happening with the V toes.
Have you suffered multiple occurrences of the shingles virus in your history? Wondering about neutopathy.

My toes(worse on the right foor) separate between 2nd and 3rd. I get severe pain in the right foot when walking. Separation seemed to come quickly, but pain happened some time after that. It came on just as quickly after working at a job where i had to stand and sometimes walk continuously for hours. I'm 56, have had subacute thyroiditis in the past and I believe less severe subsequent episodes though when tested levels are low normal. Auto-immune diseases run in my family heavily. My mother also has the toe separation and has had auto-immune disorders for years as well as hyperthyroid. Reading all the comments on the page it does seem the thyroid and perhaps many different auto-immune disorders. Having said all that I wanted to let you and others know of a couple of things that have helped me. When the pain wasn't quite as bad a very hard plastic orthotic with good arch suppport all the way across to the ball of my foot. This still helps a lot, but I've also purchased toe separators. Sort of counter-intuitive, but they eliminate the V and separate all my toes. They stretch my entire foot and my posture is better as well. I wear them barefoot at home and sometimes inside shoes. So far I'm really impressed. When I walk my feet seem to have the pressure spread out instead of too much pressure on the small toes. It feels like my foot is more stable, but before it did not feel unstable. Anyway, I'm using orthotics and toe separators as well as researching other options. One last thing. A podiatrist diagnosed me with Morton's Neuroma. I researched it and thought for sure that was it, but I suddenly noticed none of the pictures I saw had separating toes. I may well have it, but might be something else. He seemed a bit puzzled when I told him my mother had the same toe separation, but said it must be hereditary. Sorry for such a long comment. I wanted to be as thorough as I could. Reply if you'd like any information about the orthotics or toe separators I purchased. I hope all goes well with you!