Surprising Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Hammertoe

Sometimes life experiences can be cruel because some things that occur are out of our control. As a result, some individuals are more vulnerable to some diseases than others. For instance, hammertoe Paramus is one of the common conditions troubling several individuals. The condition affects your joints and muscles to get out of balance. Therefore, if you have toes that continually bend, you could have a hammertoe. The main issue is why you are more likely to get the condition than others. The following is a complete guide to the surprising factors that increase the likelihood of getting hammertoe.

Footwear

Wearing tight shoes in the toe box or high heels can cause your toe to bend or move into a flexed position. When your toes are in such positions for long, muscles responsible for straightening the toes become tight and become less able to work. You cannot straighten the toe out in the long run, even after wearing open shoes. Calluses and corns from tight shoes can also cause hammertoes to worsen.

Genetics

Some individuals are more likely to have hammertoe due to genetic factors. For example, these conditions are more hereditary to the European people. Thus, if you have origin from these areas, you are more prone to experience one. However, studies have yet to confirm if this applies to other people from other races and ethnicities, meaning it is inconclusive to all people.

Foot posture and Toe Length

Studies revealed that hammertoe is more popular when you have longer toes. In most cases, long toes are more susceptible to increasing the likelihood of your toe becoming squashed or bent. Specifically, hammer toes are more likely to affect people with various foot conditions, such as bunions and flat feet. Bunions occur when you have bone growth on the base of the joint of the big toe. Alternatively, flat feet appear when you have no visible arch when you place your feet on a flat surface.

Abnormal Alignment

Some types of feet are unstable, increasing the chances of hammertoe. Sometimes you may feel it is natural because you are used to it. However, the alignment from the hip to the foot requires joints to function properly to avoid foot strains when working. Thus, even if your foot does not appear flat, instability is likely. You should consult a podiatrist as they have experience in diagnosing these instabilities and offering treatment to improve your foot structure.

Age and Gender

Hammertoes are more popular with older adults, mainly women. Usually, in some cultures, females are typically likely to wear a shoe that tightens or inserts the pressure on the toe, making hammertoe more susceptible. Toe complications like corns, calluses, hammer toes, and bunions were more likely to occur in young women wearing high heels.

If untreated, hammertoes can impact your walking and running. The deformity can cause pain that hampers your mobility and limits your activity. Besides, untreated hammertoe can get worse and will always remain. Luckily, there are several treatments, both nonsurgical and surgical treatments you can receive to correct these toes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, including naproxen and ibuprofen, can be ideal. If your pain remains with these treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery.