by Sharon Kull

Created on: January 16, 2010

Helping Crossed Toes  

   Wearing shoes with pointed toes can have a major drawback.  People toes can take only so much of that torture.  They give in to the crunch, and bunch together even when they're not inside of shoes.  It isn't only toes that shift out of alignment, bones in the feet do, too.     My toes looked normal one day, and the next, the big toe was ducking beneath the second toe, with it over-lapping exaggeratedly.  It was much like when you cross your fingers.  That happened on both feet. Needless to say, I was shocked.  I shouldn't have been.  After all, I had been  wearing pointed toed shoes for decades.  Also, when I was ten, toe dancing lessons were an after school activity twice a week.  The instructor warned the class the first day, even showing us her bunched together toes.  We all had that, "It'll never happen to me," attitude. 

   Weeks and months went by after my toes had crossed, during which my feet became tender to walk on.  It was worse than ever after sitting for awhile, then standing.  The first few steps brought jolts of pain.    Wearing thong shoes helped a little, but not nearly enough.  It was past time for research.  What I learned on the Internet wasn't nice.  Surgery could correct the problem, but there would be a lot of pain involved.  Therapy afterwards wouldn't be a piece of cake, either. 

    An idea popped into my head.  Socks.  It seemed logical that if something could keep the toes from crossing, the foot bones wouldn't be stressed.  So I sewed a "V" in a pair of socks to fit between the bad toes.  It had to be wide, or the second toe would still be able to cross over the big one.  The result was what could be called a foot mitten.  I tried them on, and was impressed enough to sew a few more pairs of socks. 

   The first day was uncomfortable.  My feet weren't used to wearing mittens.  The second day my feet were comfortable.  On the third day I was happy to put the mitten socks on.  This improvement was very welcome.  Along with wearing the socks during the day, wiggling the toes when they became tired also helped.  So did rotating my feet ten times in one direction, then ten in the other.   Gradually the bones in my feet stopped hurting totally.  I now walk without limping, even after having been sitting around for long periods of time. 

   How to make the socks.  They can be made either by hand sewing, or using a machine.  I suggest practicing with old socks.  What kind of socks?  Purchased socks with all of the toes won't work, but tube socks are perfect because they don't have heels.  It's also easier to match them up after laundering.  To use socks with heels, make certain that when you flatten them prior to sewing, the top is facing up.  What you do,  is sew the "V" between the toes that are crossing, making sure to go wide at the top, and as deep as the length of your big toe.  Make certain you don't end up with two left feet. 

   It may seem inconvenient to live everyday wearing socks, but that isn't necessary once the crossed toe dilemma is under control.  Taking a day off to go barefoot occasionally can be considered a reward.  However if you're like me, you find it preferable to wear the socks.

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