Hammertoes are a common podiatry issue affecting the three middle toes. If you’re dealing with it, you might notice the bend in the middle joint is exaggerated, so that the top of the toe arches down to the floor. If you don’t yet have hammertoes, use the following tips to avoid getting them.

How to Avoid Hammertoes

1. Try Stretches

If you’re starting to develop this issue, or it runs in your family, there are stretches you can perform to retrain the surrounding muscles and ligaments. First, try manually straightening the toe so the tip points forward, not down at the floor. Once you’ve lengthened the muscles, practice splaying out your toes and contracting them, so they straighten and bend comfortably on their own.

2. Wear Spacious Shoes

Most of the time, hammertoes are caused by overly constricting footwear, specifically shoes with a narrow toe box. To prevent the formation of a hammertoe, avoid high heels and pointed-toe flats and stick with clogs, sneakers, or sandals. Also, make sure your shoe has ample arch support, which will prevent an unreasonable amount of weight from shifting to the toes.

3. See a Podiatrist

Certain people are more prone to developing hammertoes—such as women, people with flat arches, and those with diabetes. Therefore, if you’re hoping to prevent this condition, it’s important to talk with a podiatrist right away. They can examine your foot, design custom insoles for your shoes, and show you additional stretches or exercises. They can also recommend surgery to correct severe cases if these methods don’t suffice.

To speak with a podiatrist who provides gentle, individualized care, reach out to Dr. Eric D. Trattner of Cleveland, OH. He commonly corrects hammertoes without invasive procedures like pins or stitches, so you can reduce your recovery time and wear sandals with confidence. He can also attend to ankles, heels, and arches with his state-of-the-art equipment. To learn more about this trusted podiatrist, visit the website, or call (440) 333-5350 to arrange for a free consultation.