It is a societal norm for women to wear heels on special occasions that require them to dress up. Some celebrities such as Julia Roberts have taken a stance against this unwritten rule, and have gone barefoot on red carpets. There are medical side effects that come along with this fashion trend. Wearing heels can cause pain in your feet and your back. Bunions caused from heels can result in hammertoe, which is a condition that forces toes to point downward. Additionally, heels can also cause arthritis and ankle fractures.
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information,consult Dr. Carl Ginsberg of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
- Pain in the affected toes
- Development of corns or calluses due to friction
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Contracture of the toes
Causes
- Genetics – people who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
- Arthritis – because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
- Trauma – direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
- Ill-fitting shoes – undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
- Orthotics – custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
- Medications – oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
- Surgery – in more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.