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Sunday, April 25, 2010

Hammertoes and Metatarsalgia: Possible Help with Budin Splint



If you develop pain in the front of your foot (toes or metatarsals), one of the most successful treatment modalities is a Budin Splint. It should be initially worn very loosely around the toe. It is worn walking, not sleeping, and can immobilize the toes enough to rest the injured area. Normally, combining a Budin Splint, sometimes called a Single Loop Hammertoe Regulator, with two to five times daily icing can make the symptoms diminish significantly. See the post on icing. The loop that goes over the toe can be used on the toe that seems to be the most painful, or connected with the metatarsal that seems to be the most painful, or on the toe next to it (although not the big toe), or over both toes by opening up the loop wider. These splints can be bought at many locations including Footsmart.com and mooremedical.com. After tightening the elastic band to comfort, cut off any extra material on the under surface of the splint that is not under the pad, and then use tape (any kind) to secure the band to the under surface. The splint should never be worn if it increases pain in any area.

They are commonly used in enclosed shoes, or in socks around the house, to prevent or slow down the development of hammertoes. The photo above also shows an additional metatarsal pad (purchased from www.Hapad.com) for extra metatarsal support. They are an excellent post hammertoe surgery splint worn for up to 2 years. If the splint slips around alittle since it initially may need to be on loose, place a small piece of tape on the elastic band attaching the band to the skin on top of the toe. Golden Rule of Foot: Place the Budin Splint as far back onto the toe, away from the toenail, as possible. The splint itself should never feel like it pulls the front of the toe downward which could cause a hammertoe. The underlying pad is one size fits all so feel free to trim the size down if it cuts into you or interferes with your orthotic device. You should be able to make it work. If you start out real loose for comfort, once a week slightly tighten the band an extra 1 mm (slightly). If you are wearing it for pain, wear it 2 months longer after pain subsides.

Another type of splint has 2 loops, a double loop hammertoe regulator.Budin Toe Splint - Double Toe - Model 65065 I do not like how it pushes the two and third toes apart, so I tell patients to place on the 2nd and 4th toes. The double loop can be tried if only partial success is achieved with the varietions above of the single loop. I sure hope you like these products.

9 comments:

  1. My coomment is this: My 80 year old mother has been given a prescription for a budin splint for a very painful, severe hammertoe. The prescribing physician warned her not to buy any budin splint but to make sure it was ordered through a surgical supply store. However we have contacted many, and none of whom stock this item. I see there are many online retailers with similar splints yet would like to be assured that we are buying an authentic "Budin". Do you have any recommendations? Thank You, gina

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  2. Here is a link to Pedifix for their Toe Straightener, which is a Budin Splint.
    Rich

    http://www.pedifix.com/p-18-toe-straightener.aspx

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  3. I have hammertoes on all my toes on both feet. I see correctors for 1 or 2 toes but what do I do about all the toes on both feet?

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  4. Thanks for the comment. If you have hammertoes are all the toes, you can daily try to manually stretch each toe out. You hold each toe of 20-30 seconds in a straight pulled out direction while you are on commercial break for your favorite TV show. 30 minutes a day get Yoga Toes or one of the knockoffs. Learn how to do metatarsal doming correctly and build up to 3 sets of 10 reps daily. Look into toe crests (see Footsmart catalog). Wear a small to start with the elastic band over the 3rd toe. Consider wearing Injinji socks and Vibram Five Finger shoes around the house. Many patients with hammertoes are really helped with a variety of metatarsal pads which push up on the metatarsals and straigthen the toes with each step. I hope this gets you going in the right direction. Rich

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  5. I am 55 and just recently developed drop toe on my left big toe. The ortho said can't do anything except surgery and it could end up being more of an opposite problem with the shortened tendon. I asked if I could tape it - he said sure - offered no other advice. This seems like it might work (I was looking at a 3 loop) however I have seen it stated NOT to be put on big toe. Any suggestions?

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    1. For your specific problem, I would use the stronger tape 3M Nexcare Waterproof tape. You can tape the Big Toe to be in any position you want. Rich

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  6. I've had two foot surgeries on the left foot for a bunion. Now, the 2nd toe lies atop the 3rd toe, causing additional pain. Might a Budin splint be helpful to separate the two toes?

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    1. Definitely, the Budin Splint can be very help to you. I am sorry for this problem, and I am not sure how this helped. Rich

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  7. I have a hammer toe strain and i was told to use a Budin toe splint . I love to run will this splint help?

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Thank you very much for leaving a comment. Due to my time restraints, some comments may not be answered.I will answer questions that I feel will help the community as a whole.. I can only answer medical questions in a general form. No specific answers can be given. Please consult a podiatrist, therapist, orthopedist, or sports medicine physician in your area for specific questions.