Is it possible to walk without toes

However, it will adversely affect your balance and stability, and potentially change your walking biomechanics. As a result, losing your big toe as well as others will make your walking and running gait less efficient in general, resulting in a slower and choppier stride—although this can be compensated for with fillers more on that in a moment and physical therapy.

Furthermore, missing toes may make it difficult to fit comfortably into shoes and increases your risk of subsequent ulceration and amputation due to rubbing of feet inside the shoes. Remaining toes may even begin to shift position in the absence of missing neighbors. Toe fillers are special shoe inserts that are designed for people who have lost one or more toes to amputation. We have the following types available:. Losing one or more toes is not an easy adjustment—physically or emotionally.

Phantom pain and itchiness where the toes used to be are common for up to a year after the amputation. Regardless, the big toe myth has legs.

Patients who arrive in foot and ankle surgeon Robert K. Lee's office with horrible infections are less preoccupied with the mundane consequences of thick toes and worn shoes than with their concern that, without a toe, they'll be confined to a wheelchair. Most of his patients have diabetes—the number one cause for lower extremity amputation in the U. Customizing shoes to fit oddly numbered toes helps patients adjust to their imperfect gait and quickly get back on their feet. One patient requested a prosthetic so she could wear open-toed shoes and not have people stare at her feet.

Although they are unnecessary, prosthetics for big toes have been around for quite a while. An Egyptian woman was outfitted with a wooden toe prosthesis in approximately B. The wooden toe, described in The Lancet in , is the world's oldest example of a prosthetic limb replacement. Scratch marks on its sole, Nerlich says, are evidence that she wore the toe during her lifetime and, unlike other early prosthetics, it was not popped on in preparation for the afterlife. At any rate, she could have run just as well without it.

Already a subscriber? But what happens if someone else tries to tickle your toes? Find out today! Team up with a friend and test the ticklishness of your tootsies!

Who has the most ticklish feet? Is your entire foot ticklish? Or do you have spots that don't seem to be ticklish at all? Do you ever treat your toes to a tune-up? What are we talking about? A pedicure, of course! If you want a fun experience, talk to an adult friend or family member about getting pedicures together at a local salon.

If you don't have a salon nearby or can't make a special trip, don't worry! You can stay home at try the Do-It-Yourself Pedicure! Ask a friend to join you and it'll be twice the fun! Imagine that you don't have toes. Walk through your daily and weekly routine in your mind.

What things would change if you didn't have toes? Make a list of the things you think might be more difficult to do without toes. Share your list with a friend or family member and get their thoughts. Would it be easy to live without toes? Why or why not? Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words foot toe walk bear weight bone balance support pressure impact function purpose practical chimpanzee metatarsal maintaining accident ticklish Take the Wonder Word Challenge.

Join the Discussion. Peter Behan Feb 25, I had all my toes amputated when I was a baby, I ran, played sports, and am still walking today. Julia Mar 27, Layla Apr 2, Mar 28, You can! Take good care of them! Tumai Aug 21, Aug 27, Jax Jul 18, I used to think my toes were useless I asked my mom what they were for and she said every thing you said they were for.

So I ended up trying to test it. Turns out my mom was right I almost fell and then I laughed and researched some more! Aug 6, Shauna May 11, Did you guys try the tickling experiment? What were your results? May 11, May 18, Welcome back, Shauna! We're glad you tried out the experiment!

Sthecie Cazeau Feb 9, Feb 11, Apr 4, Thanks for stopping by Wonderopolis! Ray Jan 15, I had an accident in October as I'm now going through physiotherapy which I find it very hard to bear weight on my toes as it's very painful thorought the process of standing on my toes for 20 seconds. Is there any other way. Jan 20, Kieth shumac Oct 29, If you didn't have toes it would be extremely hard to walk.

They are a big factor in balance and coordination. Peter May 9, Oct 30, One time my sister got stuck clean her bed and her feet were out and I tickled her. Oct 6, Thanks for sharing your story, william! We hope she didn't get too upset! Wondoodler Apr 1, Wonderopolis Apr 2, Gabe Mar 25, I love this wonder and I love my piggies or toes.

Wonderopolis Mar 26, Joellen Jun 23, Do our toes help in going from sitting to standing and if so how? Jul 2, Wonderopolis Feb 20, Abbey H Feb 18, Toes are very important.