Hammertoes
Hammertoes and Claw Toes
Hammertoes and claw toes are two similar conditions involving the second, third, or fourth toes on the foot. In hammertoes, the toe is bent at the middle joint. In claw toes, both joints of the toe are bent.
The most obvious sign of these conditions is the bend in the joints of the toes. There can also be enlargement of the toes and joints, difficulty fitting into shoes, and corns and calluses on the top or end of the toes. In many cases, there is pain or discomfort caused by irritation and rubbing in shoes.
- Causes
- Treatment
Hammertoe and Claw Toes Causes
There are many reasons why a person may be suffering from hammertoe or claw toe. Some hammer and claw toes causes are hereditary, while some factors are easily preventable.
- Too tight or ill-fitting footwear
- Heredity and familiar tendency
- Abnormal bone structure of the foot from birth
- Inherited structural defects of the foot
- Arthritis or other joint conditions
- Foot injuries
- Neuromuscular problems
- Flat feet, collapsed arches, or pronation
Preventing the development of hammertoes and claw toes mostly involved wearing properly fitting footwear at all times. This footwear needs to support the arches to prevent collapse or pronation. In many cases, custom foot orthotics can help prevent hammertoes and claw toes if there is a structural defect in the foot or familiar tendency of these conditions.
Claw Toes and Hammertoes Treatment
If left untreated, hammertoes and claw toes can create a variety of other conditions that can be painful and uncomfortable. Arthritis, calluses, and corns can all develop in and on the toes. These lead to difficulty walking, pain, discomfort, and difficulty fitting into footwear.
Luckily, there are a variety of easy hammertoe treatment methods:
- Protective padding
- Removal of corns and calluses
- Orthopedic footwear to accommodate
- Custom foot orthotics
- Toe props
- Tenotomy surgery
If you’re suffering from hammertoes or claw toes, or worried about them developing, there are options for you. Get claw toe and hammertoe treatment from the experts. Collective Foot and Wellness Clinic can recommend treatment options, custom orthotics, and shoes for hammertoes to help you today.