Our feet are the foundations of our bodies. We need them to be strong, healthy, and well-taken care to complete almost everything that we need to do every day. Injuries and conditions that hinder our ability to stand, walk, or run can leave lasting impacts on our lives, jobs, and ability to be happy, so seeking help from a foot and ankle clinic is imperative in these scenarios. At the Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute, we can offer medical attention to patients with these types of conditions with the help of a foot doctor. Today, we’d like to share more information about what hammer toe is, how it’s caused, and what symptoms you may notice from it.
What is Hammer Toe?
Simply put, hammer toe is a condition where the bone in one or more of a patient’s toes has a bend in the middle joint that causes the toe to bend downward, similarly to the shape of a hammer. This can be a painful condition where a problem arises in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that surround this joint. Waiting do seek treatment of this condition from a foot and ankle clinic may case the condition to worsen. In the event that it does, the only solution might be corrective surgery.
Causes of Hammer Toe According to Our Foot Doctor
There are a number of causes for hammer toe, but thankfully, awareness of these causes can help you prevent this condition.
- Footwear
- Tight shoes can box your toes in, which can increase the risk of you developing hammer toe the longer you wear tight shoes. This is because your toes get forced into unnatural positions which can put stress on the muscles inside them. This is especially true for high heels. If your heels are too all, this can also put a strain on the muscles in your feet as a whole. Make sure your toes have enough space in your shoes, and if you enjoy going out in heels, try and mix in outfits that allow for more comfortable shoes, and pack yourself a pair of flats. It’s not a good idea to force your feet to endure heels if you’re suffering from pain, and walking barefoot can leave your feet exposed to sharp objects and other hazards.
- Foot Injuries
- Broken toe bones, or even a stubbed toe can potentially lead to the development of hammer toe. Listen to your doctor when it comes to caring for the distressed area to minimize the risk of developing hammer toe as a result.
- Some Diseases
- Conditions like arthritis can potentially lead to those imbalances in the muscles of your feet. This can make a case of hammer toe even more painful, so it’s important to pay attention to other causes and care for your feet if you suffer from a condition like that. Diabetes can also lead to hammer toe.
- Age
- As we age and our bodies weaken slightly, the risk of many conditions increases. This includes hammer toe. Because other conditions like arthritis are more common in older people, you start to see how a chain reaction can build up too, meaning it’s important to care for your feet as you age.
- Genetics
- Your risk for developing hammer toe may increase or decrease depending on your genetics. You could be more likely to develop it as other causes are triggered, or your own physiology can work against you. A second toe that’s larger than your big toe, is more at risk of developing the condition as well.
Contact us for a Foot and Ankle Clinic
If you’ve noticed pain in your foot, and that your toe has an abnormal bend, there’s a good chance you have a case of hammer toe. Fortunately, a foot doctor can help you treat this, so seeking the help of a clinic is very important. If you’re in Celebration, FL, and want to have your foot examined, contact us today. The experts at Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute will gladly take care of you and help you recover.