All About Hammertoes!
Hammertoes are an inherited condition that causes the second toe to bend inwards towards the first toe. Women are especially likely to develop hammertoes due to narrow shoes and high-heeled footwear. Hammertoes cause extreme foot pain and discomfort, even though they are considered a cosmetic issue — since they can be prevented through wearing comfortable shoes and exercising.
What Causes Hammer Toes?
Footwear - High heels, narrow shoes, and cramped spaces cause stress for your feet, which can lead to hammertoes. In the short term, sore feet can affect your mood; in the longer term, repeated pressure on the ball of one or more toes can cause permanent damage to ligaments and tendons, resulting in pain and discomfort.
Morton's toe - Morton's toe is a condition wherein the second toe is longer than the big toe, which can happen due to a variety of reasons. While the condition may not be painful alone, it can lead to other conditions that cause pain and discomfort in the feet. People with Morton's toe should make sure their shoes fit properly so that they aren't susceptible to conditions like hammertoe.
While hammertoe may run in families, it is worsened by ill-fitting footwear. The risk of this condition increases with a lack of wearing well-made, comfortable shoes — and over-wearing poorly made shoes that are too tight or too short.
How To Prevent Hammer Toes At Home
One of the most obvious signs of a shoe that's not for you is when it's too small. If the shoes have removable footbeds, you can check to make sure there is a thumbnail's width between your longest toe and the end of the footbed. It should also fit comfortably, with enough room to wiggle your toes — but not so much where you can't walk properly!
Regular stretching and keeping your feet flexible can help prevent a hammertoe from becoming a rigid deformity. Stretching can help keep the afflicted toes mobile, though professional surgical treatment may be required for long-term results.
What Can A Podiatrist Do For Me?
If you're concerned about hammertoes, the best thing to do is visit a podiatrist who can give you an honest assessment of your situation and offer treatment options.
If you've got a callus or corn on your toe, you can have it removed by a podiatrist. This is done using a scalpel — a sharp instrument that shouldn't be used at home.
They may provide you with padding, which aims to relieve pain and prevent corns from returning. It's a short-term treatment option.
Podiatrists can create a custom-made silicone device that reduces pressure or pain from your toe. This longer treatment option is either a relief to the top of the toe or to the tip, depending on the device. Since it's made specifically for you, it's much more comfortable and effective than pre-made gel devices.
Gel devices are available in some pharmacies, and they can be great solutions to the issue, but they are not custom-fit and can cause maceration (moist, wet skin). The ottoform is a custom mould created for your feet, and it offers the best of both worlds: comfort and effectiveness.
Podiatrists recommend that patients with hammertoes wear shoes with wide, round toes to create more room around the toe area. Seamless uppers are ideal because they avoid pressure and friction in that sensitive area. If an added touch of comfort is necessary, take your shoes to a cobbler. They may be able to add an extra circular bulge to the shoe.
Open-toe sandals are an alternative to closed-toe shoes, but only if they don't dig into the top of your toes. Unfortunately, England doesn't have a climate to wear open-toe sandals all year round. Toe surgery is the last resort and should only be considered with your podiatrist and GP.
With early intervention, hammertoe pain can be avoided. A podiatrist is a specialist in treating the feet and is trained to recommend the best course of action for hammertoe treatment. If you feel like you are suffering from a hammertoe or any form of foot pain, contact us today to book an appointment. We will be happy to efficiently diagnose the cause of your pain and work to create a treatment plan that is right for you.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.