Why do i have hammer toes?

You’ve probably noticed that your toes aren’t as straight and flat as they once were. Perhaps they’re even hammering down, making them resemble tiny hammers. While this might sound like the worst superhero name ever, it’s a relatively common problem faced by individuals around the world.

In this article, we’ll explore what causes hammer toes, why you have them and how to treat or prevent them from occurring again.

An Introduction to Hammer Toes

Hammer toes are typically caused by an abnormal bend in one or more of the joints within your toe(s). This condition can arise due to various factors such as genetics, wearing ill-fitting shoes or acute injuries. As time goes on with improper treatment surrounding these abnormalities causing deformity will occur which may inflict pain while walking

Anatomy of the Toe Joints

It is crucial for us first to understand what happens inside our bones when we engage in activities that put pressure on our feet regularly; because having knowledge about it could help upromote healthy foot habits hence better quality of life resulting from lesser painful walks along cold tiles floors after a night shift!

Each toe has three small knuckle-like bone structures called phalanges joined together through flexible joint articulation responsible for its function.[^1] These joints allow us freedom while moving our toes- enabling movements like pointing downwards (plantar flexion) upwards (dorsiflexion)[^2]. This flexibility has come with unique benefits that amphibians have exploited their webs wouldn’t be too good without those interdigitating boundaries [3].

Sometimes repetitive stress, injury or illness affects these joints ability to perform their tasks efficiently leading eventually leads to stiffness mostly at articulating knuckles [^4]

Hammer Toe Classification
A defining hallmark feature of hammertoes disorder is hyperextension seen especially among middle-aged women who complain hampering their daily routines[^5]. It is classified into two categories:

  1. Flexible Hammer Toes: They allow movement around their joints and are easily treatable if caught early, then proper exercises with footwear adjustments can be implemented.
  2. Rigid Hammer Toes: As the name suggests, stiffened toes which make treatments more difficult and surgical intervention might need to correct them [6].

Causes of Hammer Toe

A natural arch on the inferior surface of our feet keeps us moving about comfortably;however, certain activities such as running through a rugged path without protective footgear or prolonged use of unsupportive flat shoes could cause damage [^7].

Other causes include traumatic accidents when one cracks his/her toe-(my sympathies), autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis [^8] ,neuromuscular disorders that gradually deteriorate motor function(control) like leg/hand amylotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) and Parkinsonism,[^9] hormonal imbalance especially during pregnancy may lead individuals susceptible to hammertoes(13% chance)[^10], and lastly genetic deformation where it runs in families.

There is always going to have that friend who thinks wearing small tight shoes proves machismo/strength; tipsily bragging about how he had blisters around his toes because those Italian leather boots were worth it (smh).

Signs & Symptoms

Noted clinical features depend on what stage your problem has cumulatively reached:^11

  • First thing first -you’ve noticed an abnormal bend at phalange joint in either side
  • Developing peripheral calluses (bony lumps frictions between rubbing surfaces)-applying pressure over these bony protrusions will induce pain thereby limiting concomitant flexion-resisted by the tough patches developing;
  • Change in gait pattern(walking limpingly) [12]

Monitoring any changes regarding flexibility/functional dynamics while walking/bending downwards could help earlier detection.

Hammer Toe Prevention

Creating a routine with your foot toting equipment is essential for preventing hammer toe development. Wearing supportive shoes with enough arches, larger toe boxes so the toes can maneuver correctly while walking and giving them enough wiggle room(promoting circulation flow)-can adequately support phalange joints as they perform their tasks [13].

Here are some extra tips:

  • Always consider buying shoes towards the end of the day when work has shifted onto night-time(the shops have more playful tendency);
  • Feet measurement should be taken upright, i.e., weight distribution spread evenly/wholistically;
    Like Goldilocks found out, neither too tight nor too lose! Get insoles if needed.
  • As much as possible, avoid wearing high heels: They have been known to stress our feet causing contraction of underlying soft tissue(needs time to recovery)[^14]
  • Foot Orthoses/foot inserts: Certain kinds orthotic device may enhance foot function there modifying perverted force transmission by sweeping corrective pressure over areas affected,these braces would provide relief [^15].
    Good news isn’t it?!

Finally hammer toes intervention decreases inversely proportional to age at diagnosis. So get examined today!!!!

Solution-Final Thoughts

Remember best healthcare starts from creating preventative measures before you begin experiencing any symptoms well in this case hammertoe disorder. Before consulting medical practitioners ,adjusting lifestyle choosing appropriate footwear adjustments such as using stiff/solid material shoe shanks that restrict excessive bending or having one or two extra pairs comfortable thin shoe socks that serve as cushion between adjacent digits might prove useful.[^16]

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