Our toes play an important role in our posture and balance, supporting body weight, and propulsing our body forward when we walk. In doing this, they endure a considerable amount of pressure as they bend and grip to stabilize the feet and lower body. Walking on uneven terrain, such as hiking through the woods can be challenging to navigate. Our toes help to stabilize us to keep us from losing our balance.
Our feet are a complex part of our body with dozens of bones, ligaments and muscles. The body’s muscles have an agonistic and an antagonistic action. In other words, for active movement to occur in our body, one muscle pulls in one direction, and another pulls in the opposite direction. When it comes to our toes, this creates movement such as flexion and extension. If the muscles attached to the toes are unbalanced and one pulls more than the other, a toe deformity can occur.
What are hammertoes & mallet toes?
A hammertoe describes any toe that is bent at the first “knuckle” or joint from the base of the toe, causing the tip of the toe to make contact with the ground, instead of the padded, pulpy underside. A hammertoe can develop on any toe on the foot, but most commonly affects the second toe. A mallet toe is one which is bent at the second joint from the base of the toe. Just like a hammertoe, the tip of the toe will be subjected to pressure and friction from the ground. Pressure and friction can cause calluses or corns and subsequent pain and discomfort on the tip of the toe and / or on the top of the toe joint. Toenails are also at risk of injury and damage, which can lead to thickening or ingrown toenails.
What causes hammertoes & mallet toes?
Hammertoes and mallet toes can be caused by genetics, toe injury, ill-fitting footwear, or an issue with how the foot moves when walking. If there is an issue in the lower body mechanics, the muscles around the toes may become unbalanced as they compensate due to instability in the foot.
What can help hammertoes & mallet toes?
Toe deformities are mobile and can be moved and straightened when they first develop. Over time, joints may develop arthritis and stiffen, becoming rigid and fixed in a bent position. When toes are mobile, toe props can be worn to help “prop up” the tips of the toes and reduce contact with the ground. Toe props are typically made of silicone and are available off-the-shelf or can be custom made. A custom made toe prop is a functional device that can help straighten the toes when standing and walking. This device will offload the pressure and friction on the tips of the toes and reduce the likelihood of painful callus, corns and wounds. Silicone toe sleeves can be worn over the toe to protect the skin over a bent joint. Sleeves provide a buffer between the skin and footwear, reducing friction and discomfort. Hammertoes and mallet toes can make finding comfortable footwear challenging. Footwear with an extra depth toe box will accommodate toe deformities and allow toes to move freely.
The lower limb clinicians at BioPed Footcare can help you find the right footwear that fits well and is suitable for your feet and toes. Custom foot orthotics are also effective at correcting issues in lower body mechanics that can lead to unwanted foot issues. If your skin or nails are bothersome, BioPed’s medical footcare clinicians can provide treatment and an array of solutions to help you do more in life!
