Share:
Bad hammertoe pain due to high heels in women
Many women love high heels. However, they usually cause pain on the feet quickly. Those who often wear high and tight shoes risk so-called hammertoes. It is a permanent malposition that can be extremely painful.
High heels are not good for your health
High heels are popular with many women. Even though stiletto heels can damage the Achilles tendon and even lead to foot pain in a short time. Women who often wear high and tight shoes also risk a malposition of the big toe or a so-called "hammer toe", a malposition that can be extremely painful. Initially, however, the deformations do not always cause problems and are therefore often not taken seriously. Patients often go to the medical pedicure or the doctor only in case of acute complaints. In many cases, there is no way around an OP to correct the toe deformity.
Serious consequences: Not infrequently, hammertoes must be operated on. Picture: RRF - fotolia "Various deformities of the little toes"
Experts from the Society of Foot and Ankle Surgery (GFFC) explain on their web site on the topic of "Small toe deformities (hammer toes - claw toes - claw toes)": "Fixed or acquired disorders of muscle balance cause various deformities of the little toes". They are generally known by the term "hammer toe".
However, according to the medical profession, this term does not do justice to the complexity and the need to correct the dysfunction. Hammer toe is when one or more of the middle three toes are deformed on the foot. "The middle joint on the toe comes in a permanent bending position, so that the toe scrubs at the top of the shoe," explained Markus Walther, first CEO of the GFFC, according to a message from the news agency dpa. It can happen that the affected toes stiffen in misalignment and store each other. Sometimes this joint can also affect the joint. "In the worst case, the capsule tears, which usually causes severe pain under the sole of the foot," said Walther.
Hammer toes can be favored by some diseases
Often too tight shoes lead to hammer toes, but there are other causes. "In many cases, those affected with a hammer toe, a foot deformity," reported the Aachen physician Nils Lynen of the German Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeons Association in the agency message. This can be, for example, a splayfoot, a hollow foot or a hallux valgus. "Hammer toes can also be favored by rheumatism, ie by joint inflammation in the toe, or by diabetes mellitus," says Lynen. In addition, in rare cases, neurological disorders, such as spastic paralysis with muscle spasms on the feet, contribute to the development of hammer toes. These are usually not initially associated with pain.
"Over time, but the complaints increase," said Lynen. It often starts with the shoes squeezing and the calluses on the back of the hammer toe make more and more corneal calluses and corns. If nothing is done, it can lead to more severe complaints.
Strong pain from too tight shoes. Picture: Fotosasch - fotolia Especially women are affected
Most of those affected are women. Many wear too small and too tight shoes. In addition, the foot slides through high heels in the shoe forward, which has the consequence that the forefoot is overloaded. According to experts, women often have a softer tissue in their feet than men, which is why deformations can be more likely. "There is also a congenital deformity of toes, but is rather rare," said Walther. If the toes are still mobile, podiatrists can help. There are, among other things made of silicone inserts for the toes, which should provide protection against pressure and friction. "They are individually manufactured and adapted," said Annett Ullrich, Vice President of the Central Association of Podiatrists and Chiropodists in Germany. The cornea is first removed with a scalpel. "The sooner you start treatment, the higher the chances that surgery can be avoided," said the podiatrist.
In some cases, an operation is due
However, if the curved toes are stiffened and can not be stretched with the help of hands, then there is no way around an operation. This usually takes place on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic. "Depending on the case, either tendons are stretched and relocated or the joint straightened," Lynen explained. The chances of recovery are generally considered good. "After the operation, patients have to wear a bandage for about two to six weeks, in some cases a wire is temporarily inserted into the toe for stabilization," says Walther. During the time they can usually only wear special shoes. Although hammer toes are generally well treatable, but: "By itself, a hammer toe does not heal, it should be treated as early as possible," said Ullrich. "Doing regular foot exercises and walking barefoot, that strengthens your foot," says Lynen. Orthopedic surgeons also advise frequent barefoot walking, preferably in childhood. This can prevent later foot pain. Lynen also recommends tiptoeing more often at home, which helps keep the toes moving and helps to prevent curvature. In conclusion, the dpa quotes GFFC CEO Walther: "In general: well-fitting and as flat as possible footwear are ideal conditions for healthy feet." (Ad)