Why Do Bunions and Hammertoes Often Occur Together?

Your feet bear and redistribute a lot of pressure. The whole weight of your body presses down on the delicate bones, tendons, and ligaments in your feet whenever you stand or walk. And without the right support, that can lead to podiatry problems, including foot deformities.

Two common types of foot deformity, bunions and hammertoes, tend to occur together. 

In this blog, Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer and our Town Center Foot & Ankle team take a closer look at the causes of bunions and hammertoes, and the connection between these two podiatry conditions. When you understand, you’re better able to prevent bunions or hammertoes from affecting you.

Forefoot deformities: Bunions and hammertoes

Both bunions and hammertoes affect the front part of your feet. 

Bunions, medically known as hallux valgus, occur at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of your big toe, and form a round, bony bulge. This happens when the misaligned joint allows the big toe to turn in toward the second toe, leaving the ends of the foot and toe bone to protrude outward.

Your smaller second, third or fourth toes are more likely to be affected by hammertoe deformity, which relates to weakness in your forefoot tendons and chronic constriction of your toe muscles. Affected toes are held in a crooked shape, similar to that of a hammer. One or more toes may be affected.

The connection between the two conditions comes down to weight and pressure distribution across the front part of your foot. 

If you’re already affected by one type of forefoot deformity, other deformations are increasingly likely to follow due to the incorrect pressure distribution. People who have bunions have a higher risk of developing hammertoes, and the other way around.

Straightening your feet: Foot deformity prevention and treatment

Because of the connection between hammertoes and bunions, you can use similar strategies to prevent or reverse both conditions. In fact, the biggest factor in prevention is a shared one: regularly using footwear that fits well and doesn’t put incorrect pressure on your forefoot.

Dr. Eichelsdorfer recommends shoes that don’t shift your weight forward too much, the way high heels do. He also shows you how to check the toe box of your shoes to ensure that all of your toes have enough room to fully extend, reducing your risk of foot deformity. 

Custom orthotic inserts provide even more targeted support for your feet and can be paired with many types of stylish shoes.

You may need to pursue treatment of your existing foot deformity in order to reduce your risk of hammertoes and bunions. 

For either one of these podiatry problems, you may need physical therapy, splinting and bracing, or surgery to release tension and restore the internal structure of your forefoot.

When your feet lose their proper shape, your foot and toe problems are only likely to get worse without treatment. As soon as you notice symptoms, consult with Dr. Eichelsdorfer about what you should do next. Call our Kingwood, Texas, office, or request an appointment online today.