rub, overlap or underlap adjacent toes to make standing and walking uncomfortable. This can cause a wide variety of problems and can be very painful for those who suffer from the condition. Below, you will find some helpful information to get started in learning more about your condition.
Please remember I am not a doctor, and its best to consult your medical specialist for a complete diagnosis for your condition. Still, I can provide you some information that might help relieve some of the discomfort you are feeling. Pedifix.com has information and proven product innovations to help relieve your hammer toe and crooked toe pain.
There are two different types of hammer toe:
Flexible hammer toe, which can usually be aligned or relieved by using pads or manual techniques.
Rigid hammer toe, which is stiffened & unresponsive to standard techniques. This type of condition is much more challenging to correct.
The condition is usually caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that align the toe normally & hold it in place. The most common causes of hammer toe development include:
Poorly fitting footwear. Wearing tight or narrow shoes, too small for your feet often do not allow enough room, cause toes to bend and hold them in place. The rubbing and friction can lead to corns & calluses, often making the pain and discomfort of the hammer toe even worse. This is especially true when wearing high heeled shoes. Frequent use can affect your ability to straighten out your toes normally, even while wearing wider and roomier footwear. An unexpected injury can also result in a hammer toe, like a sudden impact on the foot. Heredity, bio-mechanics, or even arthritis and diabetes are also factors. Your genetics can cause significant nerve and muscle damage, resulting in a hammer toe.
Symptoms:
If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, you could already have a hammer toe. These symptoms can include red, swollen, or painfully sensitive toes that get more irritated when you put on shoes. Evidence of corns or calluses around toe joints are another common indicator of a hammer toe. A hammer toe condition can also limit your mobility. The toe may feel stiff, painful, and difficult to move. You may also feel pain on the ball of your foot, directly below the affected toe.
Treatment Options for Hammer Toe:
There are usually conservative options available to treat most hammer toe conditions. Wear better-fitting shoes with a wider toe box is a great start. It will allow your toes more room and often alleviate pressure, usually relieving some of the pain.
Utilize one of the many felt or Visco-GEL® cushions by PediFix® can help relieve pressure on toe tips and tops, easing forefoot pain and make walking more comfortable. They are perfect for supporting bend under, hammer, claw, mallet, and arthritic toes by minimizing the deformity and adding protection to reduce pressure and friction.
If you have diabetes or poor circulation, consult your physician before using. If numbness, discoloration, irritation, or additional pain occurs, discontinue use immediately. If symptoms persist, revisit a foot specialist.
If you have questions about hammer or claw toe products from PediFix, please reach out to us at Pedifix.com or by phone at 1-800-PEDIFIX (733-4349) to speak directly to a product specialist today.
PediFix Medical Footcare. 256 Ways to Relieve Foot Pain.