6. Hammertoes
“Hammertoes” describes a condition where the toes start to fold under the feet, due to damage to the joints of the toes. The most common cause for the development of hammertoes is the use of the wrong footwear, People who try to squeeze their feet into shoes that are a size to small place pressure on the front of the toe, causing inflammation of the toe joints.
Likewise, people who wear shoes that are too big for them may “grip” the front of the shoe with their toes, causing inflammation of the toe joints as well. Ladies that wear high-heels are also at risk of developing hammertoe, along with Morton’s syndrome and plantar fasciitis.
Wearing the correct footwear may sort out the initial stages of hammertoe, but if left untreated, it may become chronic, resulting in a permanent deformity to the toes. As the condition advances, hammertoes can cause issues with the plantar fascia as well, leading to the development of plantar fasciitis and heel pain.