No. Wearing tight, narrow, or ill-fitting shoes is one of the most common causes of hammertoes, but there are other reasons a patient might develop hammertoes (or mallet toes) in Philadelphia.

Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that don’t provide enough room in the toe box tends to crowd your toes and prevent them from lying flat. Over time, this can lead to a hammertoe, but hammertoes can also stem from:

  • Injury. If you have jammed or broken a toe in the past, it is more susceptible to becoming a hammertoe or mallet toe. 
  • Inherited conditions. You may be genetically predisposed to hammertoes if there’s a history of foot deformities or misshapen feet in your family.
  • Diabetes. Nerve and muscle damage stemming from diabetic neuropathy can lead to abnormal foot functioning.
  • Other disease. Any disease that affects the nerves, muscles, or joints can cause the toes to become shortened or curled. These include arthritis, stroke, and even chronic obesity.

No matter how minor your case might be, you should take steps to correct this condition sooner rather than later. The trusted Philadelphia podiatrists at Healthmark Foot and Ankle Associates can work with you to discover what is causing your painful hammertoes. We will find a course of treatment that works with your lifestyle, help you to treat your feet at home and show you how to avoid similar foot problems in the future.

Call us today at 610-565-3668 in Media or 610-933-8644 in Phoenixville to set up a consultation.

For more information about taking great care of your feet, click the link at the top of this page and we’ll send you a FREE copy of our book The Foot Is Not an Island: Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency & How to Correct It.