Hammer toes, an uncomfortable and often painful condition, can make your once-easy steps a daunting task. In this deformity, your toes get bent or curled. Hammer toes may exist from birth, but other causes usually lead to the development of this deformity. To prevent hammer toe, it is critical to know about the responsible factors. Let’s understand the causes of Evergreen hammer toe.
8 Major Causes of Hammer Toe:
Tight Shoes Problem: Wearing ill-fitting shoes is a prime suspect in the case of hammer toes. Shoes that cramp your toes, especially those with high heels or narrow fronts, force your toes into unnatural positions. This constant pressure and confinement can lead to the toe joints bending, resulting in hammer toes.
Family Footprints: Genetics plays a role, too. If hammer toes run in your family, you might be at higher risk. Inherited foot structures can predispose you to this condition, making it crucial to be mindful of your shoe choices and foot health.
Muscle Imbalance: A delicate balance exists between the muscles that control your toes. If this balance totters due to factors like weak toe muscles or overly strong calf muscles, it can cause the tendons to pull unevenly, bending your toes into a hammer-like shape.
Injuries and Trauma: Injuries to the toe or foot can disrupt the tandem between your toe muscles and tendons, potentially leading to hammer toes. Stubbing a toe or experiencing repeated trauma can weaken the toe’s structure and create an environment conducive to this condition.
Role of Arthritis: Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can encourage hammer toes to take shape. The inflammation and joint damage characteristic of these conditions can weaken the toes’ structures, allowing them to buckle under pressure.
Nerve Damage: Nerve damage in the feet, which is often caused by ailments like diabetes, can change how your muscles work and how your toes function. This can make your muscles weaker, which makes it harder for your toes to stay in their normal places.
High-impact activities: Intensive activities while wearing shoes without enough arch support for long periods can give rise to foot deformities like hammertoes. These actions put stress on your foot muscles and tendons, forcing them to adapt to unnatural positions.
Physiological factors: Several conditions might impact circulation and blood flow inside your body. For instance, peripheral artery disease is one such condition that can potentially undermine the structural integrity of the toes, rendering them more vulnerable to deformities such as hammer toes.
In the end, recognizing the causes of hammer toes is essential for prevention and treatment. If you’re noticing the early signs of hammer toes or suspect you might be at risk, consult a healthcare professional to take proactive steps towards happy and healthy feet.
