Do Your Feet Look Like This??

So many problems while we are staying at home can arise from not wearing shoes!  Even dry skin and calluses.  Friction and instability of the foot can lead to dryness and calluses of the heels.

There are a MILLION different creams and lotions out there to combat dry skin.  There is even a new foam that will be coming on the market soon that is helpful in repairing the skin layers!  But until then, heavy creams and even some with urea can be helpful in getting rid of dry skin. 

If severely dry, or cracked heels occur, you may need to see a podiatrist.  These cracks can be very painful and can become infected. 


Do not let your heel calluses go unattended!

Stay at Home Causing an Increase in Heel Pain

Do you suffer from heel pain and it has it worsened since you have been stuck at home? We have some tips for you! Most often, heel pain on the bottom of the heel is due to plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. Either condition causes pain where the large ligament, the plantar fascia, attaches to the bottom of the heel bone. So many people have had an increase in pain recently, especially those that are at home not wearing shoes. Shoes with an enclosed heel provide much needed support so its best to wear your sneakers or other shoes with a stiff heel counter as much as possible, even while you are indoors. Doing runners stretches that stretch the Achilles tendon along with physically (using your hands) bending the toes toward the knee helps stretch the plantar fascia. Please do not go too long with heel pain without getting medical help. While it may start out as inflammatory (plantar fasciitis), the problem can develop into a more chronic one (plantar fasciosis) which is much more difficult to resolve. Many podiatrists are considered essential and are open for injuries and other painful conditions.

Why are “Heel Spurs” Important When it Comes to Military Service?

The New York Times released an  article  today that claims President Trump was given the diagnosis of “heel spurs” so he would be exempt from military service.  Putting aside the ethical, moral and political components of this story; one might wonder why heel spurs would disqualify someone from service.

A heel spur is actually an abnormal outgrowth of bone of the calcaneus (heel bone).  They may occur on just one foot or both.  The tissue on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia attaches to the bottom of the heel bone and when stressed, can produce a spur of the bone due to the traction that is occurred with the stress of the fascia attachment.    It is the plantar fascia that actually causes the pain.

Heel pain is VERY common.  One estimate is that there are 5 million Americans that have heel pain at a given time.  Approximately 35-40% of patients at Family Podiatry Center present with the complaint of heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis developed as a diagnosis to more accurately define the source of the pain over time and it takes on definite course with consistent symptoms of pain in the morning and after periods of rest. More recently, some podiatric physicians that specialize in heel pain recognize that there are two forms of plantar fasciitis including a chronic version called plantar fasciosis.   The plantar fascia is much easier to treat before it becomes chronic and it’s important to seek treatment from a qualified podiatrist once the pain cycle changes.  Chronic plantar fascial damage will not respond to the traditional treatments and may require regenerative medical treatments.

So why did “heel spurs” exempt people from military service?  Aside from being very painful, heel pain was often associated with “flat feet” which tire easily.  Nowadays, both flat feet and heel pain are easily maintained using custom orthotic devices and no long pose a threat to our soldiers. 

Heel Pain - Why Some Shoes Help and Others Don't!

Millions of people suffer from heel pain - most of which (although not all) is due to plantar fasciitis/heel spurs/plantar fasciosis.  Some people swear by their Vionics/Birkenstocks/Oofos/Chaos sandals and most podiatrists will tell you to wear a closed heel shoe such as a running shoe for stability.  So which shoe is right for you and why??

First of all, let me tell  you that not only am I a podiatric physician, but I also suffer from plantar fasciitis (PF) on and off.  I have personal experience as well as professional experience and knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics of the lower extremities.  The simple answer is:  What works for you may NOT work for someone else!

The more complicated answer comes down to foot type, foot structure and the reason for your plantar fasciitis and how long you have had it.  These individual factors become especially important in controlling re-occurrence which is common with PF.

First of all, it is so important to get rid of PF before it becomes chronic. Acute PF is thought to be inflammatory but chronic is not.  Chronic PF is a topic in of itself; but for now, know that steroid injections often fail because chronic PF progresses beyond inflammation producing scar tissue or tears within the fascia itself.

There are two important parts to controlling most acute PF - control of your rearfoot (heel and subtalar joint) and allowing the tight tissues to stretch.  Heel control is an integral part of treating acute PF because it helps control the motion of the heel causing inflammation.  Shoes with a stiff heel counter (the back of the heel) such as running shoes are a very important part of resolving heel pain.  I tell all my patients to wear them 24/7 "for now" to control the heel.  It's not necessary once the pain subsides, but until then it is a must!

Rearfoot control is also achieved with most types of custom orthotics. (This is how they differ from over the counter arch supports sold as "orthotics"). There are many factors if prescribing custom orthotics based on your shoe wear, foot type and associated anatomy.  Even if the orthotics prescribed by your podiatrist don't help the acute pain, they are important in controlling the heel to prevent re-occurrence!  Hopefully your podiatrist explained this to you, but if not,  don't be upset if they don't help get rid of the acute pain because they are still very important!

Both flat feet and high arch feet can develop PF due to tightness of the fascia, but also can develop from tightness of the Achilles tendon and even the hamstrings.  Vionics and Birkenstocks help people because they have a negative heel (where the heel sits lower than the toe box) which helps to stretch the Achilles tendon. While those sandals may help with the pain while wearing them, they often don't improve the condition overall because they don't provide heel control.   I think they are great once the pain has subsided and for those times that you absolutely can't wear sneakers, but sneakers with heel control are much better at getting the problem under control quicker.  Running shoes that have a negative heel are a great tool in allowing stretching of the Achilles as well as providing heel control.

Finally, a few words about those sandals that I mentioned and others that are heavily marketed to the public for heel pain.   Whenever anyone talks about heel pain, recommendations for these sandals are given quickly but the success of specific sandals is based on individual foot type!  Oofos, for example, provide extra shock absorption so they may be great for a high arch foot type but not for those that need a negative heel.  Vionics (based on personal experience) seem to provide rearfoot control further back in the arch as opposed to the high mid-arch support found with  Chaos which is a different type of control.  I know for myself and my foot type, this makes a huge difference.  It is important to make sure you have a discussion with your podiatrist on which sandal might be best for YOU once you get the PF under control.

Controlling PF goes beyond the control of shoes and sandals; but with so many people making recommendations to their friends on which of these costly shoes to buy I felt compelled to write about the differences between them and why YOUR foot may need something different than your friends.  Please see a podiatrist well versed in PF if your heel pain persists for longer than 4-6 weeks to be properly evaluated for YOUR individual treatment and shoe recommendations!

IMPORTANT PEDICURE TIPS!!

We are in full swing of summer now and women everywhere are getting their weekly pedicures or bimonthly!  Best advice if you have callouses is to SEE A PODIATRIST FIRST!

(BTW - toe nails grow slower than fingernails so you do NOT need to have them done with every manicure).




I often have patients saying they "catch" fungus from a pedicure but I honestly think that is not always the case.  Direct infection to the skin of the feet and legs, however is another story.

While not common, there are certainly documented cases where infections occur as a result of transferring bacteria (or fungus) from one person to another.   CBS News just put out this article of a woman almost losing her leg because a contaminated callous shaver was used on her.

So here are my tips for pedicures!

1)  Pedicurists in most states are not allowed to use blades or other callous removers.  If you have callouses that are thick, painful or simply unsightly, SEE A PODIATRIST to have them removed before you have your pedicure!  The benefits to the skin from the pedicure will last much longer if you have the callouses removed properly from a podiatrist.

Pinch Callous

2) Understand that callouses are a result of a structural problem and will continue to develop unless those problems are corrected.  Your podiatrist (podiatric physician) will educate you on the whys, hows and whens that influence your callouses.  Sometimes simply wearing custom orthotics can get rid of that "pinch" callous on the joint of your big toe that many of us seem to have.

3) Go to a salon first thing in the morning when the tools and whirlpools have the least chance of being contaminated.

4) Make sure they are using freshly sterilized instruments, including the nail files!

5) Never shave just prior to going for a pedicure.  This will reduce the risk of bacteria entering your skin if there is a contamination.

Finally - enjoy your freshly painted pink/red/blue/gray toes!!

Stilettos and Cobblestone - do the two work together???

Okay,  I am a little obsessed right now with Meghan Markle but not as much as Google thinks because I keep getting Meghan Markle news links!  But this one was pertinent.  Meghan wears heels on cobblestone in Dublin explores the difficulty wearing heels while walking on cobblestone streets!

I could swear I already wrote an article on this, but can't seem to find it.  The short answer is NO - of course high heels and cobblestones don't mix!  Walking on any uneven surface is difficult but cobblestone surface is uneven, irregular and a mix of contours joined together with sand.   And if you have ever tried walking in sand with heels, you know what additional problems that brings!

So what risks did Meghan take when walking on cobblestone in her 3 inch Sarah Flint shoes (not really stilettos if they are only 3 inches People Magazine)?  She risks spraining her ankles, spraying her foot, sustaining a fracture if she slips and getting those skinny heels stuck in that sand!

What the People article didn't talk about is the problem more women experience while wearing heels in another inconvenient surface:  grass.  They did provide a photo showing the Duchess of Sussex standing in the grass and mentioned that she was able to walk across the park, but the take home message in this instance is simply having those skinny heels sink into the grass!  I KNOW you have experienced that at least once.  in your high heel wearing life time!  Unlike walking on cobblestone, walking on grass while in heels once is certainly enough to make sure you don't make that mistake again.  Seems that getting stuck in the grass is more embarrassing than falling and spraining your ankles!  And who want to clean the mud off the heels while you are out and about all dressed up!

Bottom line - know where you will be walking BEFORE you venture out in those skinny heels!

Resolutions for the New Year: Resolve to Walk!

New Year's Resolutions...................

Resolution #1:  Be more active on this Blog!!

So many people include exercise as a resolution for the new year.  So many people give it up because the exercise they have chosen becomes a hardship either because of cost or complicated new equipment.  In my mind, the best exercise is also the easiest:  Walking.

Walking requires no special equipment other than a pair of appropriate shoes.  Walking requires no cost of membership.  Walking requires no commitment or long term relationship with a gym.  Walking requires you to 1) put on your shoes and 2) Go!

I used to think the same about running.  I loved to run.  I loved the crisp fresh air and the energy I felt when I was out there engaging with the world outside.  And running was easy.  Just put on my shoes and go!  Running became a problem however, when I my knee scope showed significant arthritis.  So instead, walking became the new running.

There are a MILLION websites with info on running, especially with the new year just behind us.  This article is what inspired me to return to this blog after a much too long absence.  There is some great advice here on how to maximize your walking workout.  Walking is the simplest thing you can do to get in shape for the new year!

While I can't promise I will blog weekly, I will try to focus on walking more because I truly believe walking is the answer to many people's quest for fitness.

Today I want to talk about shoes.  While there used to be an entire category of "walking shoes" that I don't think were never intended for fitness walking.  The very best shoes for fitness walking are running shoes.  Running shoes, as opposed to tennis shoes, basketball shoes or even cross trainers allow you to propel in a forward motion from heel to toe.  Running shoes generally have more space in the toe box, provide more support, give padding at the ball of the foot and allow for shock absorption.  I am talking about traditional running shoes, not minimalist runners.

This post isn't intended to discuss the differences in the types of running shoes out there - that is an entirely different topic but the key elements are 1) making sure you have enough arch support if you are a pronator and 2) making sure you have enough shock absorption if you have a high arch foot and 3) its important to see a podiatric physician to determine your foot type and to be evaluated if you should be in custom orthotics before buying new running shoes.   For now, however, make the resolution to walk, find your running shoes and Go!

Recently, Mattel made big news: Barbie's got a brand-new bod.  As a mother (who is more curvy than many), I am excited to know that there are now Barbie doll options other than those that I grew up with - bodies that reflect body types other than those I had always dreamed of having!  While my daughter is too old to benefit from Mattel's attempt to characterize young women more accurately, I know she will share in my excitement of acceptance of multiple body types. 

But what REALLY excited me was to read that Mattel had already modified Barbie with

removable feet so that she could wear heels and flats!

To me, these will always be Barbie's favorite pair of pumps!

How did I miss that news!!  Can you imagine - feet for flats and feet for heels! 

For evening, we would switch out our flexible flat feet to be able to put on high arched feet to have the stability to actually walk from our Ubers to the restaurant for dinner - without worrying that you might fall off your heels or worse yet, be seen wobbling in those heels.

For day time running errands with the kids (as a mom) or for the kids (as a teacher because when I was a kid all my Barbie's were teachers or secretaries), Barbie can kick off those high arch feet which lack shock absorption and put on her more flexible feet to allow proper foot function and rid her of her back pain.   

Or she can put on the feet that are bunion free (bunions BTW - are usually a result of those flexible flat feet) to put on flats that won't hit right across the bunions and cause direct pain.  Or she can put on the feet with a slight arch to make up for the lack of an arch in most flat shoes.

 

The boots, of course provide the best of both worlds, unless Barbie does have a bunion.

 

Then Barbie may need to go to Barbie Shoe Maker to have them stretched until she is ready to have surgery to correct the bunion.  Which of course, would be the best decision Barbie mom, Barbie teacher or Barbie secretary could make to ensure her future foot health and avoid Barbie arthritis in the unlikely event that she ages.




We won't talk about Barbie platforms!

 Now if only we can come up with a Barbie foot to make those sling backs stay on!

 

The PERFECT Wedding Shoes

I happened to notice the shoes that this bride was wearing in this photo - granted, the article was about the wedding couple being photo bombed by a group of naked bike riders in Philly (they do that in Chicago too); but my attention immediately went to her shoes!

They are the perfect height for dancing, smiling, kissing and walking down the aisle!  However, if you absolutely must have a higher heel for walking down that aisle with your very tall groom; take the following precautions:

1) Have a second pair of shoes with a lower heel.  That's what I did.  My husband is a foot taller than I am and I didn't want all the photos to make is so obvious.  I had one pair for the ceremony and one pair for the rest of the evening.  I had the dress hemmed to accommodate both at a sort of in-between length.

2) Practice and rehearse - not just at the rehearsal!  While you are not going to break in those heels, you can at least get used to wearing them if you start wearing them around the house for short periods of time weeks before the wedding.

3) Put pads in those shoes to take pressure off painful spots.  Nothing like your painful feet keeping you from smiling on the happiest day of your life (hopefully) so far.  You may need to experiment with the pads but better yet, take the shoes to a podiatrist and see how he or she can help you reduce pressure points while wearing them.

4)  Walk slowly.  I have known brides that are in such a rush to the alter and from the alter that I would swear that they were wearing roller skates.  Walking slowly will help you keep your balance and have a more normal gait despite any crazy heel height you wear.

5)  BE CAREFUL!  Especially if you are not used to wearing four, five or six inch heels.  It is very easy to literally fall off your heels.  Nothing worse than having an ankle sprain and not being able to dance to "your" song.

Now that I have your feet covered - its someone else's job to help you figure out your hair issues!

I LOVE Kitten Heels

As a woman, a female podiatrist and the American Podiatric Medical Association's expert on shoes, especially women's shoes - I must say that I do NOT agree with the statements made  here in Yahoo this morning about Kitten Heels!  I think they are the perfect alternative to heels for women who want or need to feel dressed up.  The height is perfect and the usually skinny heel is not an issue with sidewalk cracks!  All women know what to avoid walking over when wearing skinny heals - especially in the city where there are all kinds of grate coverings.  I also do not agree that shoes cause bunions, even shoes that pitch the foot forward as stated in this article.  They can aggravate bunions, but its foot type that generally causes bunions.  I encourage patients to wear Kitten Heels every day in my practice due to their modest heel height!

How High is Too High??

After watching the Grammy's and watching so many beautiful women try to walk in their heels - I felt compelled to ask this question!  Well, compelled to give a simple answer.

Too high is when you are not walking properly.  So many of the women I saw presenting or accepting a Grammy were walking with their posture changed, their gait changed and their hips, knees and feet not working as they should!

High heels not only put pressure on the feet but also on the knees and the back.  If you are wearing heel and it does not feel like you are walking heel to toe, standing straight and having your normal stride (length and rhythm of each foot step) - the shoe you are wearing are too high!!

And by the way, platforms are not much better!  Many people thing that the height of the platform negates some of the overall heel height, but I can tell you first hand that you do not have a normal walking pattern when wearing platforms.  Often, walking in platforms does not absorb shock like walking in regular shoes do and back pain becomes a problem.

Frostbite - Should Health Women Worry??

When we think of frostbite in Chicago and other large cities, most people think of the homeless and others out without proper foot protection from the elements.  But working women, especially those who commute downtown, should also be cautious!

So many of my patients commute to the city.  They take the train from Naperville or surrounding western suburbs and walk to their offices from the train.  I can tell you that most of these women are not wearing Uggs as part of their winter foot wear if there is no snow.

Most women tend to wear the same dress shoes and hosiery for their multiple block walks to and from the train - unless they wear sneakers for a previously discussed foot problem.  These shoes, or fashion boots, lack the warmth that winter boots provide and most dress shoes leave a good part of the foot exposed.  This exposure - especially when the temps dip into the teens - can lead to frostbite in some people.

Risk factors include anyone with circulation problems or diabetes but even health women should be cautious if they are smokers, take certain medications or have something called Raynaud's. 

Raynaud's is often associated with some rheumatic diseases (Raynaud's phenomenon), but it can also be present by itself   Raynaud's is fairly common - even my 15 year old daughter has it!  Toes and occasionally fingers get very cold and even turn white when exposed to cold temperatures or other stressful triggers.  It is more common in women and those who live in colder climates.  Even while at home, my daughter's second toe often turns white.

I have my daughter rewarm her toe in warm water or with a warm compress until the normal color returns to her toe; but prevention is the key with women who experience this problem.  Wearing socks (even in the house during the cold months), wearing boots when outside and limiting exposure to the very cold air.  On the really cold days, I recommend to my patients that they take a cab to and from their offices and the train.

Raynauds is a vasospastic problem of the arteries which blocks the blood flow to the toes or fingers.  Risk factors for health women include the use of cold medications that include pseudoephedrine (Chlor-Trimeton, Sudafed) and birth control pills.  Women should not smoke if they have Raynauds - its the perfect and very real reason to give my daughter not to start smoking!

Shoe Shape vs. Foot Shape

I recently saw a Rachel Ray segment that talked about "foot shape" and how wearing a shoe that is a different shape than your foot can cause deformities such as bunions and hammertoes.  If only it were that simple!

"Foot shape" as referred to in the piece is more a result of the length of your toes.  Some people  have longer second toes and others have a longer great toe.  Either way, you need to fit shoes to the longest toe.  BTW- it is said that those with longer second toes are natural born leaders!

Toe box shape - square, round or pointed -  is only one factor in shoe construction and the way they affect the feet.  Heel height, the cut of the toe box and the point at which the pointed toe shoes curve  are even more important factors!  A pointed shoe that has an extended (faux) toe can be quite comfortable for many women no matter which toe is longer.  Similarly, rounded toe shoes can often cut across the bunion area and be quite a problem.



Finally, I want to make sure everyone understands, shoes do not cause bunions!  Bunions are caused by a combination of foot type, genetics and are influenced by daily shoe wear.  Certainly, if you wore a narrow, constrictive shoe 24 hours a day for years, your foot would take on that shape; but that is rarely the case! 

Why is December the perfect time to take care of your foot problems?

Most active people choose the winter months to have foot surgery to allow them to return to full activity in time for Spring and Summer activities. Walking, gardening, running and even sunbathing are all activities that are enjoyed best after foot problems have resolved.

December is the month this is easiest to take advantage of satisfied insurance deductibles and when patients enjoy the smallest amount of out of pocket expenses.

With online holiday shopping so popular, holiday shopping is no longer a deterrent for foot surgery.

There is nothing like sitting with your feet elevated on a cold winter day with a warm fire nearby! Foot surgery recovery and winter go hand in hand (or foot in foot)!

Don't Let Your Feet Keep You From Wearing High Heels!!

As both a woman who likes to be fashionable and a podiatrist that needs to be sensible, my goal is to help women wear the shoes they want to wear more comfortably!

Recently, FOX32 Chicago interviewed me for a story on cosmetic foot surgery for women who wear high heels. Like almost all podiatric surgeons, I do not consider most foot surgeries to be cosmetic even if the goal is to wear shoes more comfortably. Many women think of correcting bunions, hammertoes and other unattractive foot deformities as cosmetic; but there is usually a structural abnormality associated with those unsightly problems. Insurances almost always cover the correction of foot deformities - even if there is the added bonus of making your feet more attractive!

While FOX32 Chicago initially intended to focus on only cosmetic procedures, my interview clearly shows that when the feet are involved, the definition of what is cosmetic is clearly not black and white. While some newer procedures (such as dermal fillers to the ball of the feet and laser for fungal nails) are not covered by insurance, there are very few purely cosmetic surgeries of the feet.

Function of the foot is always a factor in solving any foot problem. Cosmetic benefits aside, foot surgery is aimed to improve foot function.

My main concern with women is being able to wear fashionable foot wear comfortably and smartly. I believe it is important for any podiatrist to counsel their patients on how to wear high heels safely, how best to shop for shoes and advocates knowing not only your true shoe size but also your foot type before shoe shopping.

Why Some Shoes No Longer Fit

I was getting ready for an upcoming trip and all set to pack my red/black/white floral skirt and my really cute red peep toe pumps that I haven't worn in awhile and slipped them on to make sure they still looked cute. But I got a surprise - they were no longer comfortable!

The fit of a shoe may change for a number of reasons. First of all, anyone with deformities such as bunions or hammertoes may find that shoes are suddenly causing more pressure and tightness around those deformities. This is usually a sign that those deformities are advancing, even if there is no pain associated with them. Custom orthotics made by a podiatrist can help reduce the progression of bunions and deformities.

Swelling of the feet often occurs in the summer months due to the heat. Swelling can tightness in shoes that were once comfortable. Swelling can also be due to a tendon problem or injury and should be evaluated by a podiatrist if persistent. Lower leg swelling that is continuous can be due to systemic problems, vein problems or even kidney or heart problems and should be evaluated by your primary care physician.

And finally, foot size can change as we get older. Pregnancy can cause the ligaments and tendons of the foot to stretch which may make the foot longer. The tendon that holds the arch commonly becomes stretched, torn or injured in people that have a flexible flat foot or are overweight. It is very important to see a podiatric physician if you develop pain in the arch with or without swelling!

So, I went shopping to set to find comfortable black sandals that I could wear with multiple outfits and I ended up finding really cute red sandals. Happy Day - red shoes make me happy!! It quickly became a really happy day when I saw the price of those red shoes!!

Resolution#11: Don’t believe rumors and don’t be afraid of the unknown

If foot surgery is recommended to you, there is no reason to panic. Foot surgery is designed to not only treat existing conditions, but to prevent further ones as well. Foot surgery rarely requires you to be off your feet for more than a few days, although some surgeries may require you to either have a cast or use crutches for up to several weeks. Our patients find that pain is usually mild after foot surgery, if at all. Our surgeons have the education, training and experience you want in a physician! When performed by either Dr. Marlene Reid or Dr. Lawrence Kosova, your feet and ankles will be in good hands!

Resolution #9: Clear out that fungal infection once and for all!

2011 brings much good news for fungal nails! New laser treatments are now being used to attack the fungus within and beneath the nails and are showing great success and Family Podiatry Center is the first (and one of the only) offices to offer it in the western suburbs! It’s no longer necessary to decide if the anti-fungal pills are worth the risk – laser treatments for fungal nails will change the way we look at our toe nails!

The laser we are using is a dual wave length laser that acts by destroying the fungal cells within the nail and the skin beneath the nail. The results we have been seeing are dramatic. The advantage for this laser is that you only have to treat the nails that have the fungus so it is more economical than outer options.

Resolution #8: Walk for fitness but make sure you have the right gear

Walking is the easiest fitness program you can create but you need the right gear! A good pair of walking or running shoes that compliments your foot type is essential. Many people also benefit from custom orthotics that are like eye glasses for your feet. Custom Orthotics made by a podiatrist are prescribed based on your foot type, problems you are having and the amount of control you may require to keep your feet working their best. At Family Podiatry Center, orthotics are used to control progressive deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, relieve stressed tendons and to prevent additional injuries.

Orthotics can be made from a foam impression (the least accurate method), a plaster cast (the most traditional method) and the way that Family Podiatry Center makes them, from a computer analysis of the way you walk (the most advanced and accurate method). The computer analysis can be used for all types of orthotics - sport, dress or even sandal orthotics!

Patient satisfaction for both our dress and sport orthotics has never been higher! Typically, people relate that they can't believe the difference and can't imagine walking without their orthotics.

Resolution #7: Give your toes a break

Hammertoes are deformities of the digits (toes) that cause them to bend or curve. They can be flexible or rigid and often cause pain, corns or bursitis on the tops of the toes. Severe hammertoes can even cause problems at the ball of the foot and make walking difficult with or without shoes. Changing your shoes can help give them more room to sit comfortably, but often surgery is necessary to “break” the toes to allow them to lie straight to avoid these problems.

When is it time to have your hammertoes corrected? Unlike bunions, hammertoes can be put off as the surgery usually involves destroying the joint sp it is not so necessary to try to preserve the joint. However, that being said; hammertoes are progressive and if treated early, it is possible to save the joint if treatment is during the flexible state.