Hammertoes are a deformity of the foot that causes your toe to bend in the middle and resemble a hammer or mallet. In some cases you can prevent hammertoes, but in others genetics plays a role and it may be more difficult to keep from happening.Preventing hammertoes comes down to your choice in footwear. If you wear tight, pointy shoes, then you are more likely to develop this problem than someone who wears shoes with a wide toe box.
When you go shoe shopping there are a couple things to keep in mind. One foot is usually bigger than the other, so get resized every time you buy new shoes to make sure you are accommodating both feet equally. Also, the best time to go shoe shopping is at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest.
For more information on preventing hammertoes, call Dr. Mitchell Wachtel at (978) 794-8406 to schedule an appointment in one of our three Massachusetts office locations.