Bunions and hammertoes are two separate toe conditions that we have covered on this blog quite extensively. A bunion is essentially an issue with the joint at the base of the big toe, while hammertoes form on the second, third or fourth toes. Both conditions cause problems for the toe and your foot as a whole, and while many people will develop one of the above conditions, it’s not uncommon for a patient to present with a bunion and hammertoes at the same time. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at each condition and explain why they can commonly develop in tandem.

Bunions And Hammertoes

Bunions and hammertoes are two conditions that can make walking or wearing shoes quite uncomfortable. Before we dive into their connection, let’s explain each condition in greater detail.

• Bunions – Bunions occur when the joint at the base of our big toe becomes misaligned. This joint helps our big toe bend and lay flat, but if trauma or chronic pressure from poor-fitting shoes causes the joint to shift out of its natural alignment, the big toe complex can become crooked. This oftentimes leads to the formation of a bony prominence on the side of the base of the big toe joint. This bump will make it harder to comfortably wear shoes and may even cause pain when walking. Switching shoes and wearing an orthotic insert can help to alleviate discomfort caused by a bunion, but the only way to reset the joint back into a correct alignment is with a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
• Hammertoes – Hammertoes are another condition that are a result of an ill-fitting shoe. When you wear shoes that are too tight in the toe box, it can cause your toes to bend upwards at the mid-joint in order to fit inside the shoe. Prolonged stress in this bent position can damage the supportive soft tissues that help your toes lay flat. Mild damage to these muscles and tendons that help your toes straighten and bend can lead to flexible hammertoes, but more severe cases lead to rigid hammertoes that are perpetually bent upwards. Hammertoes can be painful, but even when they aren’t, their presence can still make it difficult to comfortably walk or wear a shoe.

Why Bunions And Hammertoes May Coexist

Both bunions and hammertoes tend to be caused or exacerbated by poorly fitted shoes, so if you’re wearing shoes that are too tight, it’s certainly possible that you may develop a bunion and a hammertoe. However, the changes caused by the onset of a bunion can also increase your likelihood of developing a hammertoe.

For example, it is well documented that individuals with second toes that are longer than their big toe are at a heightened risk for hammertoe onset because it is more likely that this toe becomes stressed if not in a properly fitting shoe. Now, imagine that your second toe is the same length or even a little bit shorter than your big toe. If you develop a bunion, your big toe tends to turn inward as a result of the pressure and the fact that the base of the toe joint is shifting outward. When your big toe is tilted inward, it simply isn’t as long as if it were laying straight forward, which can mean that your second toe actually becomes your longest toe. If your shoes are too tight in the toe region, all of a sudden your second toe may be under greater stress due to the effects of the bunion. By the time that someone seeks professional care for their bunion, they may also need treated for one or more hammertoes.

With either condition, early intervention and a switch to a roomier and supportive footwear is key. The longer you put off treatment, the more damage occurs, and that can be a barrier to successful treatment. If you notice the formation of a bony prominence or a change in appearance in one or more of your toes, bring it up to your primary care physician or a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. McDonald. We’re confident that we can help treat your issue without the need for surgery, but we can also provide this high level of hands-on care should it progress to this point.

For more information about bunions, hammertoes or other foot and ankle conditions, reach out to Dr. McDonald and his team today at (860) 244-8889.