Facebook Pixel
EmpowHER Guest
Q: 

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?

By Anonymous May 6, 2009 - 1:20pm
 
Rate This

Add a Comment54 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to lovemyshitzu)

I have the separation of toes on my right foot as well, Second and third toe I love to walk 10 kilometres to day and have to stop and shake my foot because it becomes painful I find it embarrassing to wear open toe shoes I am 53 Is there a way to make my toes comeback together?

August 1, 2017 - 9:42pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have also noticed a space growing between my 2nd & 3rd toes. I am 43 with Hashimoto's, Celiac and Sjogrens. I also had Lyme disease and have been treated for that. For those who commented before I would look into Lyme as I had most all the symptoms you describe - neurological issues, joint issues, fatigue, plantars, plus many, many more.
But the toe spacing is a new development and I also have signs of early menopause so I am going to speak to my doctor about a pituitary tumor. They tend to be benign but mess with your hormones including growth hormones. You may want to look into that too as I believe they are fairly common.

December 14, 2015 - 9:41am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Very interesting! I had lyme disease approx. 8 tears ago and was finally treated with doxycycline. Then I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid and muktipke sclerosis. Recently my second and third toes on right food have separated.

September 4, 2018 - 7:08pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I also have under-active thryroid (on medication), am overweight, have suffered with plantars fasciitis (there are exercises that make it go away!), AND suffer irregular times when my 2nd and third toes have a defined separation. In fact, I also occassionally suffer from excruciating foot spasms that cause ALL the toes to separate (it looks like my toes are possessed!), am female and 62 years old. I have known for years that, whenever my toes separate (and yes, one foot sometimes turns inward a bit to the point I notice it and think "how odd!") its typically a symptom that something is really wrong with my body. I just don't know WHAT!!! I DO know that removing all wheat and all processed foods (if it comes from a can, box or package... I stayed away from it... I ate only natural foods like fruit, fresh veggies and meats (mostly chicken) --- most symtoms disappeared. In fact, one loses weight, allergies all but disappear, and the amount of energy and feelings of wellness are amazing. Alas, its an expensive (I tried to buy mostly organic foods) and time consuming diet. How I wish I hated bread, sandwiches, pasta and potato chips. :(

October 1, 2015 - 6:09pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thank you for posting your advice and what seems to work for you. Interesting about the processed foods and wheat elimination, I've done that as well and I feel so much better when I do. The toe separation has stumped me. I'm very impressed that most of your symptoms went away with the above mentioned eliminations. I'm going to be 100% strict to see if this works. The toe separation is all new to me. I thought what may have caused it was the orthotics that had a build-in metatarsal pad in the center of the pad. I'm taking fish oil and tumeric along with no processed foods, wheat or dairy, to see if there are improvements. Thanks for your help. Rita

May 22, 2019 - 1:47pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Wow! I'm a 56yr old female, I have separation between second and third toe. hypothyroidism, hoshimoto. Have vitamin D deficiency and low on iron and zink. Had facisitis about 4 years ago. Was 50 lbs overweight, but now I'm 20 lbs over. My middle toe is longer than the big toe. I wear a lot of open toe shoes and sandals. Never wear high heals and if so, they'll be platforms very comfy. Never wear tight shoes. No trauma. Very interesting to see the similarity of symptoms. I have no pain, but I don't like how it looks. I'm seeking ways to correct it.

August 4, 2015 - 1:03pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am facing similar symptoms. My third and fourth toes hurt, and a space is developing between my second and third toes. I am thirty six, and I also have hypothyroidism and occasional joint and muscle pain that seems exacerbated by wheat, msg, and/or refined sugar. I am also a neuromuscular massage therapist, and my pain is not responding to self treatment, stretching, or exercises.

July 30, 2015 - 9:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had the surgery! I developed a space between the two toes next to my big toe, right foot. I also had hammer toes. My only pain was trying to wear closed toe shoes. The top of my toes would rub on the shoe. I had the surgery to straighten my toes and remove the space. I can walk fine in shoes. It feels a little funny and uncomfortable to walk barefoot on hard surfaces, but certainly doable. My shoes fit better. I don't have pain. The two toes with the space are now stiff, but does not cause problems. No cause for the toe separation was determined.

July 31, 2015 - 6:03am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I too have the separation between the 2nd & 3rd toe on my left foot but it seems to come and go. I'm 51, with thyroid issue (was in the midst of being diagnosed while in another country when I left and have yet to complete any action), had plantar fasciitis in both feet about 12yrs ago, diagnosed with low calcium and vitamin D while overseas (desert climate and avoiding the sun - is common there), about 40lbs over weight, while playing adult kickball overseas had repeated "pulled muscles" in various muscle of the upper and lower legs - none of which were truly warranted based on the activity level. These pulls/pains only lasted a few days to a week and then a different muscle or leg would have the same issue. These pulls were unlike any true pulls from when i was in athletics. Even carrying a box for moving gave the precursor sensation, that is very different from any strain, to this "pull" happening. This precursor sensation usually happened about 24hrs prior to the pull happening. Feet and legs will ache after walking or standing for long periods of time and will be creaky and crampy until loosened up. Now that I'm back home I need to pursue this as well as find a family doctor. Not exactly sure what direction to take with all of this. Help, please?

June 22, 2015 - 12:11pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Hi. I too have same separation between 2nd and third toes. I too have Hashimoto's thyroid disease. I have also been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and when in hospital my rheumatologist commented on my toes to his understudy... so I assumed it was an RA symptom, but reading here, perhaps it is just a thyroid issue. I have not been taking thyroid meds because I have discovered they mess with my brain! I have immense swelling of the soles of my feet these days - comes and goes, but the two have stayed separated for months now.

October 13, 2015 - 5:38pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.