Since I had so much fun doing research about bunions I thought that my next big blogging adventure should be about Hammertoe (I know I get all the good subjects right!) It turns out that this subject is a good one for me to write about since my significant other has a hammertoe.My fiance has what they call flexible hammertoes as his toes are still movable at the joint. Thus not really causing him pain. His toes actually look like the claw toe as pictured to the right. Bizarre huh? But enough about him.
When I started researching this topic I asked myself what is a hammertoe? Well the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) defines hammer toe as "a contracture-or bending- of the toe at the first joint of the digit...This bending causes the toe to appear like an upside down V". Other types of hammertoe include claw toe, and mallet toe. Each of these are pictured to the right.
I bet you are wondering how does someone get a hammertoe? or maybe will I get a hammertoe? Don't panic. According to the APMA "hammer toe is formed due to an abnormal balance of the muscles in the toes." This abnormal balance causes the tendons in your toe and joints causing the bending. Like bunions hammer toe can be hereditary, like in the case of my honey. But it can also be formed by arthritis and ill fitting shoes.
The easiest way to avoid hammertoe is to make sure your shoes are the correct size. Is your big toe being jammed into the end of your shoe? Buy new shoes immediately! If the hammer toe has already developed there are many ways to relieve the pain of hammertoe. One of which is to wear a shoe with a deep toe box, like Dansko clogs. With their great arch support and roomy toe box Dansko are recommended for many foot ailments. Stay tuned for my next blog about the wonders of Dansko shoes.
If you want to read about past foot ailments please find the link below:
Bunions
Hammer toe
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel Spurs
Flat foot
Calluses, Corns, and warts
Gout
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