THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUNIONS AND HAMMERTOES AND THEIR TREATMENT

BUNIONS
Bunions begin as a small bump formed at the joint at the base of the big toe. Initially, they can, though should not be ignored and the only aggravation is disfigurement. But, as the bump enlarges, as it will, it pushes the bones in the front part of the foot out of place and pulls the big toe toward the smaller toes. As the big toe pushes toward the smaller toes, a lump of bone is created on the outside of the foot, which can become very painful. Swelling and soreness occurs, and corns and calluses can develop from the toes rubbing against each other. Without intervention, the big toe will eventually cross over the small toe next to it and be unable to move back to its original position.
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HAMMERTOES
When one or more of the smaller toes curls under the foot, instead of lying straight, the condition is called Hammertoe. The downward turning toe resembles a hammer, giving the condition its name. The cause is a weakened muscle in the footthat creates an imbalance with the surrounding muscles. The stress then shortens the tendons, as they try to compensate, and pulls the toe or toes down. Hammertoes can be genetic, but most often wearing shoes that are too short, too tight, or put unnatural pressure on the ball of the foot is the cause. Hammertoes begin as a mild curl but, without intervention, the curl becomes a deeper buckle of the toe joints, until stress on the tendon makes the toe or toes become rigid.
As the condition progresses, the whole foot and then the legs and back can become impacted. As the toe bends, it begins to rub against the shoe, causing corns, blisters and irritation that make wearing shoes and walking uncomfortable. Walking in a way to avoid the pain begins to throw off the posture, which over time undermines the body’s structure, causing chronic pain in the legs, hips and the back.Balance becomes undermined, leaving you more prone to falls. Treating hammertoes is essential to healing the rest of the body.