This can seem a bit unusual and the sign is not connected with what number of toes you've got, so its not some sort of hereditary deformity with the foot. It's really a signal that health professionals regularly observe and comment on when looking at the feet or examining someone walking. When a person is standing vertical while you view them from behind and check out towards the front of the feet, it is possible to normally observe the little toe and maybe the next toe on the outside while looking. In some individuals you will find a few more than the outside few toes viewed from behind – this is what gets called the "too many toes sign". That means the number of toes are seen on the lateral side when viewing a person standing up while observed from the back. Several toes are normal, most of the toes could be very excessive and some of the toes can be considered relatively abnormal. In addition to standing up, the too many toes sign can certainly be noticed when people are walking and running.
It is of some debate concerning if you have many toes getting visible on the outside while seen from the back will be of any clinical significance or otherwise? Some people because of this sign will have a externally rotated walking and in most of the people this is really common and of no negative effects. Some others with this sign will often have a greatly flattened foot so that the forefoot abducts significantly to cause the too many toes sign. This type of condition will be fairly uncomfortable and debilitating. In cases like this you could think about that the too many toes sign isn't a issue alone, but is a sign that there will be an actual concern of the too much pronation. It is usually more a manifestation of the problem instead of a problem on its own.
An issue with the use of the language, too many toes sign would be that it is "painful" and invokes the picture in persons mind they have some kind of medical condition when they don't really. Using words to describe those sorts of conditions should be picked diligently in order not to unnecessarily alarm people. In the event the problem ought to be treated because it's a symptom of an underlying disorder then consideration really needs to be provided to that. Should the overpronation is the primary reason for that too many toes sign and there's a need to manage this, and then there are alternatives. Not every cases of excess pronation end up being treated, but when they will the most popular intervention is with a foot orthosis. These may be custom made for the person or they could be over-the-counter type of mass manufactured type. Great supporting shoes is usually important. With respect to the cause, there are a variety of physical exercises that may be useful for example the short foot exercises and exercises at the hip to increase external rotation in the leg. If you think maybe you or someone you know could have the too many toes sign, then go to a health care professional experienced in this condition to get some advice.