While stylish shoes may look attractive and modern, sporting them may be doing more harm than good. If you are suffering from hammertoe, bunions, or any other painful foot condition, discover how the team at Wiregrass Podiatry in Enterprise and Dohan, Alabama, can help you get back up and running.
Foot pain can be debilitating and may decrease the quality of life for some patients. However, if you are like most people, you don’t think about taking precautionary measures until the problems have started. At Wiregrass Podiatry, Dr. Jennifer Decker, DPM, and her team of podiatrists believe that the best medicine is prevention.
Preventing and correcting hammertoe
Hammertoe is a bend in the middle joint of your second, third, or fourth toe. This condition, often caused by the wrong footwear or a muscle imbalance, can be excruciating to live with. To prevent hammertoe from developing, the podiatrists at Wiregrass Podiatry suggest choosing a shoe with a wide toe box. A broad toe box will allow for sufficient room for your toes to move more naturally when walking.
If hammertoe has already developed in one or more of your toes, have no fear. Early stages of hammertoe are correctable through a combination of personalized treatments selected by your podiatrist, including physical therapy, looser-fitting shoes, or corrective braces. Advanced stages of hammertoe may require surgery if necessary.
How to prevent and correct bunions
Bunions occur when bones in the front of your foot improperly shift. This shift of bones pushes your big toe out of alignment and creates a painful bump on its base joint. Much like hammertoe, the best prevention for bunions is a comfortable shoe that allows for unrestrained movement.
If your bunions are at the point of no return, treatment measures may involve physical therapy, corrective footwear, or minimal surgery.
Additional foot issues
Ill-fitting shoes can contribute to problems beyond hammertoes and bunions. Less severe issues can include ingrown toenails, corns, blisters, and calluses. Although these conditions are painful, they are capable of healing on their own in most cases and do not necessarily require medical intervention. Nevertheless, it is always best to contact your doctor with questions or concerns.
Special considerations
Due to the high risk of infection and slower healing abilities, individuals with diabetes need to pay particular attention to their chosen footwear. Loose-fitting shoes can help to stop infected sores and blisters from forming.
Tight-fitting shoes are fashionable, but they can cause irreversible harm to the structure of your feet. If you are experiencing painful foot conditions, such as a bunion or hammertoe, Dr. Decker and the team at Wiregrass Podiatry will help you get back on your feet. Set up your appointment today with our convenient online scheduling tool, or call either of our offices.