Podiatrists are seeing more and more patients with hammertoe in Hyde Park. Why the increase? While some foot problems are quite complex, hammertoes often result from wearing the wrong type of footwear. Read on to learn more.
What Does a Hammertoe Look Like?
Hammertoe is quite distinguishable. A person with this affliction will have a toe that bends upward from the middle of the joint. While any toe on the foot can develop this deformity, the big toe is the most affected.
Early on, people might be able to straighten out the affected toe. But this won’t last forever. Eventually, it becomes too painful to straighten out the toe.
Preventing Hammertoe
Is hammertoe preventable? The short answer is: yes and no. Some people are more prone to hammertoes than others. People diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and those born with long bones in their toes are more likely to develop hammertoe.
However, everyone who wears too-tight shoes that are short and narrow increases their risks too. These kinds of shoes cause toes to bend upward and shorten and tighten the tendons and muscles in the toes resulting in the hammertoe deformity.
People can lessen their chances of developing hammertoe by wearing wide-width shoes and avoiding wearing high-heeled shoes excessively. Parents should also replace their children’s shoes as soon as they outgrow them.
Get Hammertoe Diagnosed Right Away
The sooner one gets their hammertoes in Hyde Park diagnosed, the more treatment options they have. Contact Mitchell Foot & Ankle to schedule an appointment!
