18 PUT YOUR Best Foot Forward By Shannon Carroll Many of us know the relief of taking off a pair of tight shoes after a long day. While sky-high stilettos or fancy loafers can make year-round fashion statements, it’s important to be aware of the potential damage that some shoes can do to our feet. Kootenai Clinic foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon Ed Rooney, M.D., said one common condition that can occur from ill-fitting shoes is a hammertoe—when the big toe encroaches on the second toe, causing it to elevate and hammer down toward the ground. Hammertoes can also occur due to arthritis in the toe, a high foot arch or bunions. “A hammertoe occurs when toe muscles that are responsible for straightening and bending the toe tighten and cannot stretch out,” said Dr. Rooney. “When toes become bent at the middle joint, they can curl upward—in the shape of a hammer—and can potentially overlap and affect other toes.” Foot care As a hammertoe progresses, toe muscles become unable to straighten the toe entirely, even when there is no confining shoe. Women who frequently wear high heels are more susceptible to hammertoe because a higher heel forces the foot down and crams the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe. “After a while, the tissue underneath the toe will become stretched, and the toe will drift further up,” Dr. Rooney said. To prevent a hammertoe, Dr. Rooney recommends avoiding frequently wearing narrow-toed Simple tips to prevent painful foot ailments Hammertoe Kootenai Clinic physical therapist Lucas Hammond treats a patient.
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