If you walk a lot, you may sometimes feel pain or stiffness in your toes. This doesn't have to be a problem. Do you often suffer from this and wear shoes that are too small? Then you could eventually suffer from painful hammertoes. What does this mean and what can you do to prevent hammertoes?
What are hammer toes?
Hammer toes or claw toes are toes that are deformed in a certain way: the first part of the toe points upward and the end of the phalanx points downward. This deformity can be smooth or rough, but is generally very painful. Especially if the toe is very round and raised, blisters, corns or corns may appear above the toe. You can imagine this makes wearing shoes more painful.
How do hammertoes develop?
There are several causes of hammertoes and general deformities of the toes:
- Wearing shoes that are too small, or pointed shoes
- Hallux valgus (big toe misalignment)
- One finger is (a lot) longer than the rest
- Sagging forefoot (flatfoot)
- Osteoarthritis of the toes
What can you do to prevent hammertoes?
If you want to prevent hammertoes, it is important that you always wear shoes that provide enough room for your toes. This applies to your sports shoes (with these tips you will find the right size), but also to the shoes you wear in everyday life. If you often wear pointy shoes and/or heels, consider making more room for your toes by wearing different shoes.
In addition, it can also be helpful to regularly do strengthening exercises for your feet, as well as stretching exercises for your feet and toes. Here you will find more tips for taking good care of your feet.
What can you do about hammertoes?
If you already have a sore hammertoe, you can use a felt ring (available at the drugstore) to protect the sensitive area and prevent further friction. Some runners attach the hammer toe to the adjacent toe (or toes) to prevent the worst. If in doubt, contact your doctor or podiatrist for advice. If you're particularly bothered by hammertoes, you may eventually choose to have surgery.
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