Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Thick Skin, Real Pain—Let’s Fix That Callus Fast
What You Should Know About Plantar Calluses and Your Foot Health
Plantar calluses are thickened areas of skin that form on the soles of your feet, often caused by pressure, friction, or poor footwear. While common, they can lead to discomfort, pain, and further complications if left untreated. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for plantar calluses is the first step to healthy, pain-free feet. Whether you’re dealing with a mild buildup or a painful callus, professional podiatric care can offer lasting relief.
Why the Big Toe Matters for Walking
The big toe, or hallux, carries a significant portion of your body weight during the push-off phase of walking. It acts as a stabilizer and helps maintain forward momentum. Without it, you may experience balance issues, altered gait mechanics, or strain on other parts of the foot and leg. However, adaptive techniques, physical therapy, and podiatrist-approved footwear or orthotics can help patients walk again—even without a big toe.
Can You Walk Without a Big Toe? (Living with a Big Toe Amputation)
If you have a big toe amputation, Don’t Lose HOPE! We answer if you can walk without a big toe, the best big toe amputation shoes & MORE!
Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
Need Help After Toe Loss? Consult Balance Foot & Ankle Today
Losing your big toe doesn’t mean giving up your active lifestyle. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we specialize in gait rehabilitation, custom orthotics, and advanced podiatric care to help you regain confidence and mobility. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward walking comfortably again.
Top-Rated Foot Care Products Recommended by Podiatrists
Trusted Solutions To Soothe, Protect, and Support Your Feet
Finding the best products for managing peripheral neuropathy and diabetic foot pain can make a world of difference in your daily comfort and mobility.
When it comes to managing foot pain from conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or diabetic neuropathy, the best orthotics can offer crucial support and relief.
Choosing the best shoes for foot conditions like neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, or flat feet is essential for pain relief and long-term foot health.
Can You Walk Without Your Big Toe?
In the unfortunate case of needing a big toe amputation, one might ask “can you walk without your big toe after a big toe amputation?” The answer is yes.
- There are certainly some changes to your ability to walk.
- We go over big toe amputation healing time and recovery tips.
- We also go over our favorite big toe amputation shoes and big toe amputation orthotics.
Big Toe Amputation Healing Time:
- We will does tell patients that the average healing time for a big toe amputation takes about 2-3 weeks for the skin to heal.
- It takes a further 6-8 weeks total until you are able to walk normally in a pair of shoes again without swelling or drainage problem.
- This healing time could be slower due to the health conditions which may have contributed to your big toe amputation in the first place.
Amputation of the Big Toe Recovery Time Factors:
If the patient has the following conditions time could be slower:
- Type 1 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy.
- Type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy.
- Peripheral arterial disease.
- Chronic smoking.
- History of slow healing wounds.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Kidney problems.
- Kidney problems that have led to dialysis.
- Knee back and hip issues that cause problems.
- History of poor mobility.
- An inability to walk before this injury.
- The need to work a standup job.
- Alcohol use or abuse.
- Drug use or abuse.
Can you walk if your big toe is amputated?
- Yes it is possible to walk without a big toe after a big toe amputation.
- They have performed lots of studies and while it does slow down your athletic ability, people are able to walk 6 city blocks with a minimal loss of function.
- You are able to walk without a big toe, but this does mean all your other joints like you ankle, knee and hip do have to pick up the increased workload.
- Studies have shown that some people are not able to compensate well if they have poor muscle mass, if they are over weight and if they have poor flexibility.
- Obviously this would be better assisted with a good orthotic and a good pair of podiatrist recommended shoes.
Can a person walk without a (big toe expectations):
- In our experience, a people who are more likely to have an amputated big toe joint are more likely to not require significant athletic levels.
- When we talk about walking, we are talking about things like going on a vacation or going on a long walk to the grocery store.
- If you have reasonable goals, then you should be able to live the rest of your life fairly normally (assuming you are in the group of average older patients with numerous health problems.
- This advice does not apply to a traumatic injury where the person would have a higher base level of athleticism and higher expectations.
Amputated big toe problems:
- The most common problem we see for an amputated big toe is pressure that develops under the second metatarsal phalangeal joint.
- Studies showed that it is possible to develop pain and eventual foot ulcer formation underneath the second metatarsal phalangeal joint.
Other amputated big toe problems:
- Increased use of your ankle knee and hip.
- There is also increased pressure on your office foot.
- There is also increased pressure on your back and hips.
- This can lead to increased osteoarthritis in the future to these joints.
Best Big Toe Amputation Shoes:
- Click the picture below to see our best big toe amputation shoes.
- The shoe should be combined with a custom orthotic made by a qualified podiatrist.
- If you are in Michigan come see us for a custom-made orthotic. Most major insurance plans do cover these custom orthotics.
- If you do not have insurance or have issues, check the orthotics below to see only to our favorite orthotics.
Best big toe amputation insoles:
- Not only do you need a good shoe for your big toe amputation, but it would also benefit from the use of a good over-the-counter orthotic.
- If you are able to come see our podiatrists in Michigan and get fitted by a custom insole orthotic, this would lead to best possible results.
- If you are not able to do so or if there are insurance coverage issues, the below insoles may be beneficial.
Best walking boot & scooters for a toe amputation:
In the first 2 months or so after a big toe amputation, an assistive device may be beneficial.
- See our favorite walking boots and assistive aids.
- See our favorite knee scooters and assistive devices.
Causes of Big Toe Amputation
Osteomyelitis induced big toe amputation:
- The most common cause of big toe amputation is secondary due to osteomyelitis.
- Osteomyelitis means that there is an infection in the bone.
- Check below to see MRI pictures of osteomyelitis big toe amputations.
Amputation of the Big Toe Due To Diabetes Video
- The most common cause of amputation of the big toe is a diabetic foot ulcer.
- In this video we go over how to prevent diabetic foot ulcers.
- This is the most common cause of your right big toe amputation or left big toe amputation.
Big Toe Amputation Recovery Due to Diabetes:
Do you have Diabetic foot pain? This may be the start of a Diabetic Foot Ulcer. We go over the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Early Signs, Causes & BEST Home Treatments
How to treat a diabetic foot ulcer:
0:00 What is a diabetic foot ulcer?
0:53 Diabetic foot ulcer causes
1:08 Diabetic foot ulcer beginnings
2:55 Diabetic foot ulcer infection treatment
3:17 Diabetic foot ulcer stages
3:47 Diabetic foot ulcer podiatrist and diabetic foot ulcer doctors
4:27 Diabetic foot ulcer early signs
4:44 Infected diabetic foot ulcer treatment
5:10 Diabetic foot ulcer treatment at home
5:45 Diabetic foot ulcer total contact cast
6:30 Diabetic foot ulcer shoes
6:45 Diabetic foot ulcer orthotics
7:20 Diabetic foot ulcer exercises and Diabetic foot ulcer stretches
9:08 Early stage diabetic foot ulcer
9:53 Diabetic foot ulcer Home Treatment
10:10 Diabetic foot ulcer Peripheral Neuropathy
Other Services Our Podiatrists Provide:
- Toenail Fungus Treatment (Oral or Laser ).
- Toenail Trimming.
- Orthotics Fitting.
- Ingrown Toenails.
- Infected Ingrown Toenails.
- Podiatrist pedicure or medical pedicure.
- Trimming of Corns, Trimming of Calluses, and Treatment of Pressure Blisters.
- Diabetic Foot Care & Diabetic Foot Wounds.
- Athletes Foot, Dry Skin, Eczema.
- Foot & Ankle Ulcer Care.
- Infection and Abscess Care.
- Staph Infections in the Toe or Foot Treatment.
- Treatment of Plantar Warts for Your Toes and Feet.
- Foot & Ankle Injections (Steroid or Natural Solutions.)
- Management of Foot & Ankle Fractures (Walking Boots for broken toes or broken feet).
- Heel Pain (Heel Spur or Plantar Fasciitis).
- Custom Orthotics for children and adults (In the office).
- Over the Counter Orthotics for children and adults.
- Podiatrist medical pedicure.
- Extra-Depth Shoes for Patients with Diabetes.
- Diabetic Shoes.
- Gout Treatment.
- Prescription (Refills).
- Telehealth appointments.
- Shockwave therapy (AKA ESWT or EPAT therapy)
- Cold laser therapy (In the office).
- MLS laser therapy (Multi-Wave Locked System laser therapy).
- Laser for peripheral neuropathy (In-Office).
- Senior Toenail Cutting & Toenail Trimming Services.
Other in Office Procedures Our Podiatrists can Perform:
We can perform toenail, toe, foot, heel & ankle surgery in the office!
We can help with:
- Minimally invasive foot surgery.
- Minimally invasive bunion surgery.
- Minimally invasive hammertoe surgery.
- Corn and callus removal surgery.
- Plantar wart removal surgery.
- In-office permanent ingrown toenail removal surgery.
- Removal of unwanted spurs, bumps, or lumps on your feet.
- Shockwave therapy (AKA ESWT therapy or EPAT therapy)
- Cold laser therapy.
- MLS laser therapy (Multi-Wave Locked System laser therapy).
- Laser for peripheral neuropathy.
- 3D custom orthotic scan.
Frequently Asked Questions: Walking Without a Big Toe
Yes, although your gait may be affected. Most people can adapt with physical therapy and proper footwear.
The big toe helps push off and maintain balance. Its loss may cause instability or shifts in weight-bearing.
Some cases benefit from surgery, but others use custom orthotics or physical therapy to adapt without surgery.
Both play important roles, but adaptation depends on dominant leg usage and walking habits.
Yes, toe fillers or prosthetic inserts in your shoes can help stabilize your step and improve gait.
Yes, it may limit performance, but with therapy and custom orthotics, many return to activity.
You may limp initially, but gait training and therapy can reduce or eliminate this over time.
Partially. The lesser toes can adapt but don’t fully replicate the function of the big toe.
It varies, but with proper care, many patients regain mobility within a few weeks to months.
Balance Foot & Ankle offers personalized care plans, custom orthotics, and rehabilitation to help you walk confidently again.
- This is a difficult question to answer 100%, but in general you do not need your big toe to walk.
- It is more difficult to walk without a big toe than with your big toe, but you still can walk without your big toe.
- Studies have shown that you do have impairment and need to make it up through your ankle knee and hip and lower back.
- The answer is yes you can still walk.
- For most people they can still do everything they need to do like go to the store, work sit down jobs and go on low stress vacations.
- Take a look at some of our recommended shoes, assistive devices for more improvement.
- Yes you can still walk if you lose your big toe.
- But studies do show that your ankle knee and hip do have to compensate and make up for the loss of big toe joint function.
