A floating toe is a toe that is not in complete contact with the floor under weightbearing conditions.
Many parents have noticed their children having a “floating toe” in recent years. This indicates that at least one toe is not in contact with the ground. Typically harmless, the condition can cause foot pain, future foot problems, or a loss of balance. “When children have floating toes, the area of the sole of their foot that makes contact with the ground is smaller, making it more difficult for them to maintain their balance,” stated Takuma Usada, director of the Toranomon Chiropractic Office in Tokyo. A concern is that floating toes are caused by a lack of foot use among present-day children. Participation in foot-use activities by children could prevent the condition.