There are a lot of contributors to why people develop foot deformities. It can be from improper footwear or daily activities. Some people are also born with foot deformities. Fortunately, you can prevent these deformities with simple tools available in the marketplace.
In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the two of the common foot deformities experienced by people—bunions and hammertoes. We will talk about their causes, how to effectively eliminate them, and many more.
So take note of these bits of information that may help with your foot care needs.
A hammer toe is a foot deformity where the middle joints of your toes bend upward and force the tips of your toes to bend downward-looking like a hammer, hence the name. Hammertoes are usually common on middle toes, but without treatment, they can also happen on multiple toes.
The leading reason for hammer toes is tight and pointed footwear that forces them to crowd your toes. If your toes are too crowded, the pressure from your shoes contributes to the deformity. You can also get hammertoes from trauma caused by accidents.
The early stages of hammertoes are difficult to spot, but there are warning symptoms that could tell you to pay more attention to your toes. Warning signs may include developing corns and calluses on your toes, difficulty walking, and the inability to wiggle or flex your toes.
Bunions are a type of foot deformity that target the outer toes. You can easily spot a bunion by a bony bump commonly found in the big toe. These bony bumps force your big toe to crowd the little ones. In some cases, the little toes are forced to stay on top of the big toe, making it uncomfortable.
Bunions also happen in the smallest toe of your feet, which crowds the outer toe to the rest of the toes. Bunions are easily spotted with visible red bumps and calluses. It will also be uncomfortable, especially wearing tight pointed shoes.
Bunions are more likely to develop when wearing high-heeled shoes. People who are suffering from arthritis are also more prone to developing bunions. This deformity can be hereditary, so take note if one of your family members has it—you may also be prone to it.
Fortunately for you, surgery is not the only answer for your foot deformities. There are inexpensive tools that can help you alleviate the pain and maintain your foot health. Let us check out the different toe spacers, socks, and other foot orthotics that may suit you.
Toe spacers are the first line of defense against developing hammertoes and bunions. Although there are foam toes spaces for hammer toes and bunions, gel and silicone are available too.
You place these little inserts between your toes to keep them from crowding. They fight bacterial and fungal infections and aid in trimming your nails.
There are toe spacers compatible with wearing shoes, but since these spread your toes apart, you may need wider footwear. We recommend using this while you are resting or during your sleep.
Toe socks are very similar to your daily wear socks, except for this one, which has five separate cut holes for each toe to fit in. Toe socks don't compare to the large spacing of toe separators for bunions and hammer toes, but they can give relief when wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Toe socks are also better for people with deformities involved in sports. For example, running and jumping can misplace the toe spacers, leading to discomfort or even injuries.
Hammertoes and bunions can lead to underlying foot pains. Studies show that people who experience pain in their toes are also more likely to have pains in other areas of their feet.
Ball foot cushions will give great relief when you suffer from these deformities. These cushions will provide extra relief to your foot and give additional support to your toes to prevent any more damage.
Toe crest pads are like toe rings with pads that sit under your toes. They are usually made from gel or silicone to avoid irritation from long use. The rings help you position your deformed toes naturally and keep them from overlapping.
Crest pads are compatible for a single toe or one that targets multiple toes to help with your deformity. These crest pads are smaller compared to toe spacers. We recommend these worn with shoes for a more comfortable feeling.
Toe spacers and the like can only do so much to help with your pain and deformity. People don't pay much attention to their toes until the pain is unbearable anymore. Here are some signs you should get an appointment with your doctor.
Don't wait for your foot condition to worsen and spread to other parts of your foot before contacting a doctor.
There are many toe spacers available in the market, but you can't be sure of their quality, so we have picked out the best for you and your money's worth. These items are the highest rated ones and have received positive feedback from customers.
Hammertoes and bunions are common deformities that most people overlook until they start affecting their daily activities. Good thing plenty of foot care needs are easily available to everybody. We hope this overview of hammertoes and bunions helps you maintain excellent foot health. The most common foot conditions often require the simplest solutions. Explore our blogs for information on foot conditions and in-depth reviews of foam toe spacers for bunions & hammer toes, ankle braces, compression socks, and many more foot care needs. Happy reading!
