HAMMER TOES

Hammer toes are caused by the following factors:

• Congenital (from birth)
• Poor foot posture
• Excessive foot pronation
• Improper footwear
• Imbalance of the intrinsic muscles of the foot
• Cavus foot types (high arched feet)
• Neurological conditions where there is weakened muscle power in the shins and top of the foot
• Can occur in conjunction with bunions or Hallux Valgus deformities

How to treat Hammer Toes

Conservative correction of hammer toes is difficult therefore the best non-surgical approach is to find the cause of the problem. The use of padding and strapping can help keep the toes realigned and protected from irritation caused by footwear. If the cause of the hammer toes is due to poor biomechanical functioning of the foot and leg, this will need to be corrected via natural corrective measures used by podiatrists at the Foot Posture Centre. This is essential to slow down, arrest or even reverse the condition. Gently mobilising the toes into extension is also helpful.

By having your hammer toes assessed by our corrective podiatrists, we will be able to tell you if your condition is likely to improve using natural corrective techniques, and how to avoid the condition deteriorating. Avoid corns, painful surgery and bulky foot orthotics that limit the range of shoes that you can wear and book into one of our centres for a consultation.