Causes and cures of Hammertoe

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Causes and cures of Hammertoe
Causes and cures of Hammertoe

The deformity of toes, in which an abnormal bent is present, is known as the hammertoe. An abnormal bent causes the toe to bend inward. Generally this abnormality of toes is seen in women who wear high heels as the pressure is exerted ion the toes and prolonged stress causes them to bend and produces a kink. Abnormal bending usually occurs at the middle joint of the toe. Changing the footwear and using some specific inserts can help to prevent the further bending and relieves the existing one. If the bending toe is not treated by making some lifestyles, then surgery is performed to get the treatment.

What symptoms specify the hammertoe?

Hammertoe is visible externally and some major causes of the hammertoe are:

  • Difficulty in toe movement
  • Pain
  • Calluses on the sole of foot
  • Corns form above the toe
  • Visible deformity (claw like deformity)
  • Pain on wearing shoes
  • Affected walking

What causes the Hammertoe?

Many factors can be held culprit for producing this deformity which affects the second toe generally. However it can develop in any toe. Some of the main causes are:

  • Wearing very tight shoes
  • Narrow footwear
  • High heels
  • Congenital abnormality
  • Nervous problems
  • Injuries to spinal cord
  • Any type of trauma like stubbing, jamming of toe etc.
  • Stroke or diabetes

Diagnosis of hammertoe:

A general physical examination of the foot is good enough to make a diagnosis for the hammertoe. A clearly visible kink, limitation of the toe movements and pain in the toe are suggestive of hammertoe. X rays are performed to just make sure that the other tissues and bones are not affected by the hammertoe.

Treatment options for Hammertoe:

Most of the times, changing the footwear and observing some household cures are quite enough to get rid of the hammertoe. Some effective ways are described below to relieve the hammertoe:

  • Buy the shoes or sandals that fit your foot size. Wearing very tight, narrow, and short shoes compresses the toes and increases the susceptibility of developing hammertoe. Women should not wear high heels often to prevent the chances of having hammertoe. The adjustable shoes are best in this case.
  • After someone has developed hammertoe, using some specific shoe inserts is beneficial as it helps to pull the toe back to its normal position.
  • The sole of shoes should be smooth and soft so that the pressure exerted by hard surface is absorbed well.
  • Performing some special toe exercises that stretch the toe gently is useful to get fast relief.
  • Cut off the usage of the corn removing products because they can stimulate the skin irritation because of their acidic contents.
  • Clear and dry the toe wounds and they weaken the muscles and the tissues present at that affected site and chances of producing a bend in toe increase.
  • If the lifestyles changes fail in recovering the toes deformity, then this bend is treated by surgical methods. Usually surgery is minor and patient gets relieved and completely cured in a very short time.

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