This might seem somewhat bizarre and the description is not related to the number of toes you have, so it is not some kind of congenital disability in the foot. It is just a feature which clinicians frequently view and discuss when looking at the foot or looking at someone walking. When an individual is standing upright while you look at them from behind and check out on the front of the foot, you can normally start to see the small toe and maybe the next toe on the outside while looking. In some people you can see more than the lateral few toes viewed from the back – this is what gets called the too many. It is the term for just how many toes are observable on the lateral side when looking at someone standing up when observed from behind. Several toes is normal, most of the toes is rather excessive and a few of the toes might be thought to be somewhat abnormal. As well as standing up, the too many toes sign could also be looked at when individuals are walking.
It really is of a bit of controversy regarding if you have many toes being observable laterally when seen from behind will be of any clinical relevance or not? Some people because of this sign could have a outwardly rotated gait and in most of the people this is quite normal and of no consequence. Others with this can have a severely pronated foot so that the forefoot abducts significantly to cause this too many toes sign. This kind of problem may be somewhat uncomfortable as well as disabling. In such cases you could think about that the sign isn't a concern alone, but is a sign that there's an actual issue of the pronation. It really is more a manifestation of the problem rather than a condition on its own.
An issue with using the language, too many toes sign is that it is nocebic and invokes the image in an individuals mind they have some kind of clinical problem when they don't actually. Using terms to elucidate those kinds of disorders should be chosen very carefully in order not to unnecessarily alarm individuals. Should the problem does need to be taken care of since it is a sign of an underlying disorder then consideration must be aimed towards that. Whenever the overpronation can be the explanation for the sign and there's a need to manage this, then there are options. Not every instances of overpronation has to be managed, however when they do the most prevalent treatment is by using a foot orthosis. These could be custom made for the individual or they might be over-the-counter style of mass produced type. Great supportive shoes can also be helpful. Depending on the cause, there are a number of exercises that could be handy such as the short foot exercises as well as physical exercises for the hip to increase external rotation in the lower leg. If you believe you or someone you know could have the too many toes sign, then go to a podiatrist experienced in this issue to get some advice.