Are High Heels Giving You Hammer Toes? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

Are High Heels Giving You Hammer Toes? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

If you're familiar with Soft Star's footwear philosophy then you probably already know we're not fans of shoes that place form over function. We understand that many women wear high heels and tight shoes as fashion choices, but we also see the damaging effects these shoes have on our customers' feet. One of the most common foot problems that women suffer is hammertoe.

Hammertoe can occur when feet are crammed into shoes so tight that the front of the toes are pushed against the front of the shoes for prolonged periods of time. One or more toes then remain bent with the middle knuckle pointing up, even when shoes are taken off. If the condition is left untreated and tight footwear is continually worn, these bent toes can become so rigid that they can no longer straighten out on their own. While any shoes that are too tight can lead to this condition, high heels seem to be a big culprit since the elevated ankle causes more weight to push the toes forward. This may explain why the condition affects more women than men.

Are High Heels Giving You Hammer Toes? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

Common problems associated with hammertoes are swelling, corns and pain on the top or bottom of the foot. Extreme cases of hammertoes may require surgery to correct, but the good news is that many cases can be corrected and treated before it gets to that point. If you notice signs of hammertoes in your feet, some of these ideas may help:

  • Minimal Footwear: Look for shoes with flat heels and plenty of space to allow your toes to stretch and spread. We're proud to say that all of our shoes at Soft Star feature these qualities.
  • Less Time in Heels: If you're unwilling to give up your heels, at least try to minimize how much you wear them. Instead of wearing heels every day, is it possible to save them for more special occasions? Giving your feet a break from time to time can do wonders.
  • Toe Workout: Practice picking up a towel by grabbing it with your toes. You can also try picking up small objects, such as dice. Doing this several times a day can help stretch and strengthen your toe muscles.
  • Show Your Feet Some Love: Getting a foot massage and stretching your calves can help loosen muscles and improve circulation.

Need suggestions for minimal footwear? We may be biased, but we think our handcrafted Soft Stars are the best:

soft-star-ballerine-flatssoft-star-merry-janesoft-star-metrosoft-star-solstice-sandal

Keep in mind that we're shoemakers, not doctors, and these tips shouldn't replace professional medical advice. If you've worn tight shoes for many years and think you have a serious hammertoe issue then we strongly recommend seeking help from a medical professional. An experienced podiatrist may be able to offer you a treatment plan specific to your needs. The sooner a foot problem is treated, the easier it is to correct.

Our friend and podiatrist, Dr. Ray McClanahan, has a lot of experience treating patients with hammertoes. He has also written this helpful article on the subject, which we're happy to share for anyone looking for more information:

 


 

Hammertoes

By Ray McClanahan, D.P.M.

Hammertoes are a type of crooked toe that involve unnatural contracture, or bending, of your toes. In most cases, a hammertoe is characterized by a toe malposition in which the end of your affected toe points down and the first joint of your same toe—your proximal interphalangeal joint—points up. This crooked toe syndrome usually leads to rubbing within your shoe and pain. A hammertoe resembles an upside-down letter v when viewed from the side. This crooked toe syndrome most commonly affects your second to fifth toes, though it may also affect your big toe. This health problem is more commonly experienced by women than men.

Are High Heels Giving You Hammer Toes? Tips for Prevention and Treatment

Foot with Hammertoes

Condition Information

People who have painful hammertoes visit their podiatrist because their affected toe is either rubbing on the end their shoe (signaling a contracted flexor tendon), rubbing on the top of their shoe (signaling a contracted extensor tendon), or rubbing on another toe and causing a painful buildup of thick skin, known as a corn.

Hammertoes can be flexible or rigid. Hammertoes often start out flexible and become rigid over time as your toe becomes accustomed to its crooked position. Flexible hammertoes are less serious than rigid hammertoes, as they can be easily diagnosed and treated in their initial stages. Flexible hammertoes are named as such because your affected toe still possesses some degree of movement.

Rigid hammertoes are toes that do not move when you try to bend them. Rigid hammertoes are particularly common in people who have advanced arthritis or among people who avoid appropriate care for a prolonged period. Tendons in your rigid hammertoe have become tight, and your joints may be misaligned and immobile. Rigid hammertoes may require surgery to help correct if more conservative strategies fail to resolve your problem.

Causes and Symptoms

Footwear can contribute significantly to the development of hammertoes. Shoes that are too small force your toes into a curled position. Over time, your toe tendons adjust to this positioning, causing your toe or toes to hold a hammered shape. Athletes may be especially susceptible, because of the increased forces on the toes from shoes that are too small or tight. Heel elevation in footwear is also problematic, as it causes your toes to be pushed into the shoe’s toe box. Heel elevation additionally contributes to muscle imbalance. A common example of this is when your Achilles tendon—the tendon at the back of your leg that attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone—is too tight, causing the tendons on the top of your foot that attach to your toes to work too hard and hold your toes in an unnatural, elevated position.

Pain on the bottom of your foot, especially under the ball of your foot, is one of the most common symptoms associated with hammertoes. Other common signs and symptoms of hammertoes include:

  • Pain at the top of your bent toe from footwear pressure
  • Corns on the top of your bent toe
  • Redness and swelling in your affected area
  • Decreased joint range of motion in your affected toe joints

Treatment

Your podiatrist may recommend conservative treatment techniques for your hammertoes based on your foot structure, which will likely involve removing any thick, painful skin, padding your painful area, and recommending for you shoes that give your curled toes adequate room. Conservative care strategies for this health purpose may also involve the use of Correct Toes, our toe straightening and toe spacing device.

Your podiatrist may recommend a surgical procedure if your hammertoes are not helped by the conservative care methods listed above. Surgery for hammertoes is performed to help straighten your crooked toe. Your surgery will be performed in your podiatrist’s office or at a hospital, depending on the severity of your hammertoe. A metal pin is sometimes used to help your affected toe maintain its straight position during your recovery.

 


 

Dr. Ray McClanahanAbout Dr. Ray McClanahan: Dr. Ray's practice, Northwest Foot & Ankle in Portland, Oregon, allows him to care for those who find their highest joy when in motion.  In his 17 years as a podiatrist, he has learned that most foot problems can be corrected by restoring natural foot function.  He is also the inventor of Correct Toes, silicone toe spacers. His professional goal is to provide quality natural foot health services with an emphasis on sports medicine, preventative and conservative options as well as education on proper footwear.

16 Comments

  1. Foot specialist and doctor
    Foot specialist and doctor
    High heels can give you hammertoes and many foot problems. Regular foot massage and care is necessary to avoid it. A person should quickly notice it and take professional help in order to avoid complications.
    Reply
    1. C.Elf.O Tricia
      C.Elf.O Tricia
      Thanks for the tip! It's nice to get a professional perspective.
      Reply
  2. heather
    I don't have hammer toes, but I have claw toes from wearing ill fitting shoes growing up. I never had properly fitting shoes, girls shoes always too narrow, maybe my mom didn't know any better. My feet are wide, but short, kind of like platypus feet, shoes are generally narrow and pointy. I have almost never worn heels, have some wedgey things, but even they are torture to wear. I wish women would refuse to wear heels and protest this torture. I know women who have had to have surgery on their toes, feet and legs later in life from wearing heels for decades and are told to wear the most ugly, clunky unflattering orthotic shoes.
    Reply
    1. C.Elf.O Tricia
      Hi Heather. Unfortunately, this is a very common problem for women. Our culture tells us that women's shoes should be small and pointy when nobody is born with feet like that. Hopefully the rising interest in minimalist footwear and natural foot function will help change that. We're glad to hear you figured out for yourself which shoes cause pain.
      Reply
  3. Emma
    I have had to wear heels in previous jobs (it was an expected part of the work culture there - very smart suits, make up and heels). I'm also fairly petite, with wide hips and shorter legs than torso, so look out of proportion in many work outfits if I try wearing flats. My feet are small, wide, with short toes. As a result, I now have hammer toes on both feet (and one I believe has been broken and healed out of joint a long time ago, as it is agonising when I wear heels or if I twist it randomly when walking).

    I have been working from home for the last year, so have worn no shoes at all during the day (lovely!) but this contract is ending and I need to start attending interviews ASAP. This requires that I go back to wearing heels during the day, which hurts a LOT! I can't afford time off to get surgery, and want to look professional (heels are just expected in my industry). I'm not sure what to do.

    Any ideas?
    Reply
    1. C.Elf.O Tricia
      Hi Emma. Sorry to hear about your predicament! I recommend checking out the book "Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Reliev," which Soft Star co-owner Tricia reviewed here:

      http://www.softstarshoes.com/live-bare-blog/2012/05/01/every-womans-guide-to-foot-pain-relief/

      Although the author, Kay Bowman, strongly discourages high heels, she also gives tips for strengthening your feet when you do wear them to minimize damage.

      Similarly, you may want to look up Dr. Emily Splichal online. She is a podiatrist who encourages barefoot movement, but also loves wearing high heels herself. She trains runway models on how to keep their feet healthy. You can find a lot of info about her on Google searches and and on Youtube.

      I hope that helps. Good luck!
      Reply
  4. jessica
    must read... its worthy.. thanks for sharing
    Reply
  5. Elf Martin
    Thanks Jessica!
    Reply
  6. jessbuurman
    nice description regarding high heels ..
    thanks for sharing
    Reply
    1. Elf Jana
      You are so very welcome Jess, we're so glad you found the post helpful!
      Reply
  7. Rejoice
    thanx 4 dis beautiful info. is a must read n having read it; it gonna help me alot n am am in dis situation. thanx
    Reply
  8. Deepak Singh
    Excessive use of inordinate heels doesn’t make your butt look sizeable, if bigger is characterized as heavier. Be that as it may, heels can design its look by method for lifting your bottom and highlighting your ladylike bends.
    Reply
  9. Foldable flats
    Informative post....and great Tips for Prevention and Treatment.....
    Reply
  10. flat out shoes
    Awesome tips in your blog....thanks for that sharing....
    Reply
  11. Flats for brides
    Flats for brides
    Very good post. I absolutely like your site.
    Reply
  12. Vivian Black
    Thank you for the information about high heels and hammer toe. It makes sense that it can happen when the feet are crammed into shoes and the toes are pushed against the front of the shoes. This is beginning to happen to my mother. I will suggest she see a podiatrist about this soon.
    Reply

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