Sandals for hammer toes or claw toes
Inappropriate footwear and toe deformities: The STARLEI solution!
As a designer and manufacturer of women's custom footwear, I have dedicated my career to helping alleviate and prevent foot problems, and I can firmly say that improper footwear is one of the main contributing factors to foot deformities . Prolonged use of shoes that do not fit the foot correctly, that are too narrow, high or rigid, can cause various problems that affect people's health, comfort and quality of life.
What are toe deformities?
Foot deformities are alterations in the normal structure of the bones, muscles and tendons of the foot. These alterations can be congenital, that is, present from birth, or acquired, developing throughout life due to various factors, such as inadequate footwear, injuries, rheumatic diseases or simply due to excessive use of the foot.
Types of toe deformities:
- Hammer toes: abnormal flexion occurs in the central joint of the finger, with the tip of the finger facing down and the proximal phalanx (closest to the foot) facing up.
- Claw fingers: Flexion occurs in all three joints of the finger, resulting in a pronounced curvature that resembles a claw.
- Mallet fingers: flexion occurs at the distal joint of the finger (the one closest to the tip), with the tip of the finger facing up and the distal phalanx facing down.
Causes of hammer, claw or mallet toes:
- Inappropriate footwear: Prolonged use of narrow, high or rigid shoes can put pressure on the toes and deform them.
- Hereditary factors: the predisposition to these deformities can be hereditary.
- Rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases can affect the tendons and muscles of the foot, favoring the appearance of deformities.
- Injuries: Trauma to the toes can cause tendons or ligaments to rupture, which can lead to deformities.
- Muscle weakness: Weakness of the foot extensor muscles can make it difficult to extend the toes, increasing the risk of deformities.
Symptoms of hammer, claw or mallet toes:
- Pain: Deformities can cause pain in the fingers, especially when walking or doing physical activities.
- Redness and swelling: In severe cases, the fingers may become red and swollen.
- Calluses: constant pressure and friction can cause calluses in the areas of the fingers that touch the ground.
- Difficulty wearing shoes: Deformities can make it difficult to wear conventional shoes.
- Limitation of mobility: In severe cases, deformities can limit the mobility of the foot.
Prevention:
- Choosing appropriate footwear: it is essential to choose comfortable footwear, with enough room for the toes and with a low heel.
- Exercises to strengthen the foot muscles: Performing specific exercises to strengthen the foot extensor muscles can help prevent deformities.
- Visit a podiatrist: It is important to see a podiatrist regularly to detect and treat deformities in their early stages.
At STARLEI, we are committed to the health of your feet. We will advise you on the right footwear for your foot type and specific needs.
Don't let toe deformities affect your quality of life.
Remember: Prevention and early treatment are key to avoiding complications and improving quality of life.
