Bunions

Are you tired of living with that painful bunion? Are you having difficulty wearing your favorite shoes?

Bunions are due primarily to genetic factors, but can become painful over time due to trauma, ill-fitting shoes and poor foot structure. What happens, is that the bone connected to the big toe starts to drift outward pushing the big toe sideways into the other toes which can also lead to painful hammertoes, corns and calluses.  Bunions if left untreated, not only can become painful, but can become progressively worse. Wider shoes, padding and custom orthotics may slow down this progression of the bunion deformity.  

Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes.  In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. 

Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance. Treatment for the condition typically involves shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions or non-medicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.