A potential indicator of a toe problem is long-lasting bending and the inability to stretch out. Such a toe usually has an imbalance in its joints, which normally should help keep it straight. Your big toe often has two joints, while the remaining toes have three joints. A potential toe deformity that can affect you is Bakersfield hammertoe. A hammertoe is a toe resembling a hammer, bent upward.
Causes of hammertoe
1. Inappropriate footwear
Regularly wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes with constricted toe boxes can gradually trigger the imbalance of toe joints. As a result, the toe muscles and joints become stiff and bend upwards. Once your toe joints are bent, even wearing shoes with adequate space will not reverse the problem.
2. Longer toes
If you have toes that are longer, you are highly likely to get hammertoes. When you wear high-heeled or less spacious shoes, the long toes will slowly be forced to contract, which can lead to hammertoes.
You will also likely have hammertoes when certain conditions affect your feet. These foot problems may involve bunions (hallux valgus) or flat feet (pes planus).
For example, a bunion is a bony bump or lump on the joint connecting the big toe and the foot. The big toe can put sustained pressure on the second toe. With time, the second toes can develop a hammertoe.
3. Genetic issues
Scientific research has proven that one can inherit certain foot deformities, such as hammertoe. For instance, if your father or mother had a hammertoe, you can also develop the condition. You can also inherit other conditions that make your feet unstable and deformed. That increases your chances of getting hammertoes.
4. Aging
As you age, you become more prone to hammertoes. Aging leads to the degeneration of the joints, tendons, and muscles of the toes. That makes the toe joints shorter, tighter, and less elastic.
Other natural changes to the toes and feet associated with aging include skin changes, thicker toenails, and inflammation of joints. The problems that can also affect you are painful corns and calluses. These are thickened layers of the skin occurring on the toes exposed to constant friction.
5. Physical trauma
A physical injury on a toe can damage the structure of its joints and tendons. The tendons and joints become imbalanced if the toe does not heal properly. An unstable toe can contract, making it bend or curl downward when it should be pointing forward.
Other health problems can also lead to a hammertoe. These conditions may include arthritis, diabetes, spinal cord damage, and peripheral neuropathy.
Hammertoe treatment options
Your health specialist will want you to undergo a combination of different treatments that improve your chances of getting pain relief. If you have a mild hammertoe, you can get relief by wearing shoes with adequate toe space.
Wearing insoles or toe pads can also help comfort your hammertoe and relieve pressure. Pads can help shift the hammertoe to the right position gradually. Medications and exposing the hammertoe to gentle exercises can also be effective remedies. However, a severe case of a hammertoe will require surgery.
Contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center today to schedule an appointment with a hammertoe specialist.