The four smaller toes of the foot are much like the same fingers in the hand. Each has three bones (phalanges) which have joints between them (interphalangeal joints). The toes form a joint with the long bones of the foot (metatarsals) and it is this area that is often referred to as the ball of the foot.
Normally, the bones and joints of the toe are straight. With a retracted toe, the toe ‘sits’ up in the air and the end of the toe does not contact the ground on standing or walking.
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