In this article, we are going to talk about the causes of hammer toe, its symptoms, complications, complications, diagnosis and treatment.... What is hammer toe or second hammer toe? The toes are affected... in the situation where the toe is bent in the middle joint and becomes hammer-shaped... if neglected and untreated, they become stiff and in some cases can only be treated with surgery... ** Timely and quick treatment of the hammer toe problem reduces the possibility of its progression... For the diagnosis and treatment of the hammer toe complication, you can refer to Dr. Zouragh Al-Rezai, a specialist.* The cause of hammer toe An imbalance in the muscles and tendons that surround the middle joint of the foot is one of the factors that cause hammer toe. This imbalance occurs for several reasons, some of which we mention. Wearing too tight or high-heeled shoes causes the toes to bend. finds.. Considering that this study was conducted on a specific ethnicity and race, the results cannot be generalized to other people in other countries. According to the results of an article conducted in 2021, hammer toe is more common in longer toes.. Longer toes tend to bend more when wearing tight shoes or heels. Hammertoe is more common in older people, especially women. A 2013 study found that half of female participants over 70 had less deformity in their toes, suggesting that in some cultures, women wear more shoes that put pressure on the toes, causing hammertoe problems.. Bunions and hammertoes were significantly more common in young women who wore high heels at work than in women who wore other shoes. Past injuries to the toe are not necessarily the direct cause of hammertoe, but can cause hammertoe problems. ### Other diseases. Some diseases increase the risk of hammertoe. - Diabetes - Neuromuscular diseases that affect the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles - Muscle imbalance that has nothing to do with shoes - Inflammatory joint diseases such as arthritis Hammer toe symptoms One of the fingers of a person suffering from hammer toe problem is permanently bent. The person has difficulty straightening their fingers and may not be able to straighten them. Other symptoms of hammer toe include: - Pain in the affected toe, especially when moving or wearing shoes - Increased risk of calluses and calluses on the fingers - Swelling or redness - Difficulty walking Read more: Finger physiotherapy in Shiraz + 7 exercises to strengthen fingers Hammer toe detection The doctor examines the bent toe by conducting a physical examination... If the doctor suspects that the patient has a hammer toe problem, he prescribes X-ray imaging to confirm or reject this condition... If the person has another disease such as diabetes, the doctor may also prescribe tests for these cases... Management and treatment of hammer toe... Hammer toes are initially flexible, in this situation, the use of non-surgical methods can solve the problem of hammer toe. solve and straighten the bent finger.. The specialist doctor gives recommendations in this field as follows: ### Change the shoes People who are in the early stages of this disease should avoid wearing pointed, tight and high-heeled shoes. The shoes of these people should have the following conditions: - Flat shoes or shoes with a heel less than 2 inches (5 cm) - Shoes with wide toes - Open front shoes or sandals ### sports exercises In addition to strengthening and stretching muscles, sports exercises reduce the imbalance in the legs. Special exercises include the following: - Picking up small objects with toes - Pressing the towel on the floor with the toes - Using your hands, pull your toes slowly ### Products without a prescription To reduce the pressure on the toes, people can use medical equipment such as gel spacers, pads, or hammer toe insoles, which are also sold without a prescription in pharmacies. Taking painkillers, which are also sold without a prescription, are effective in reducing pain. Splint A splint is a type of orthosis that helps to reduce the symptoms of hammer toe... According to studies, putting a splint in the shoe reduces the imbalance in the muscles and tendons. In this operation, the surgeon removes a small part of the joint bone and allows it to straighten... In some cases, the surgeon performs this operation together with lifting the tendon to limit the movement of the foot after recovery. After the operation, the person will complain of pain or swelling in the toes for 4 to 6 weeks. Hammer toe is a progressive disease and over time it becomes a serious complication. Complications of hammer toe include: - Feeling of pain in the fingers - Imbalance while walking - Skin changes such as corns, corns and blisters - Open wounds - Decreased quality of life Pain, stiffness, infection and numbness are possible side effects of hammertoe surgery... There is a possibility of recurrence of hammertoe.. Since wearing tight shoes is one of the most common causes of hammertoe, wearing some types of shoes can reduce the risk of developing this disease... People should look for flat shoes or short heels... It is better to have wide toes... - Wearing high heels... - Wearing pointed shoes - Wearing very tight shoes A person may not be able to control other causes of hammer toe, so wearing the right shoes is the best way to prevent this condition... It is possible that people with other foot problems such as bunions, flat feet or diabetic neuropathy seek treatment to prevent other possible risks and problems. When is it necessary to see a doctor? A person should see a medical professional after seeing the initial symptoms of hammertoe.. After evaluating the toes and diagnosing the problem, the doctor will start conservative treatments to prevent further bending of the toes.. People who are in more advanced stages should definitely see a medical professional.. Even if the toe has been bent for a long time, the doctor can help the patient to never fix the problem using these treatment options.. view of hammertoe Going to the doctor on time, even in people who need surgery, can reduce the severity of symptoms and complications caused by.... This complication does not recur in about 90% of people...