Bunions, Clawing Toes or Hammer Toes
Bunions are a developmental alignment problem where the big toe moves towards the smaller toes, sometimes overlapping them. The first metatarsal (the bone behind the big toe) moves in the other direction. The joint can become prominent, poorly functioning, sometimes painful and difficult to fit in shoes.
While the majority of bunions are genetic in nature, other factors like tight or narrow shoes, injury, arthritis and poor alignment or function can contribute to bunion development.
Hallux Limitus – lack of movement in big toe
Hallux limitus refers to a lack of movement of the big toe joint. Arthritis and inflammation, ill-fitting shoes or a problem in foot position and alignment when walking or standing, can interfere and cause a reduced range of movement in the joint. Hallux limitus has a number of treatment options such as:
- Manual techniques to improve range of movement
- insoles and orthoses to offload pressure and improve function
- changes of footwear and strapping or taping for short term relief
Hallux limitus can also cause general forefoot pain and a number of other issues within the feet and legs as people change their gait to allow more movement where the joint is limited. This can transfer to the small foot bones and joints, up the leg to the knees, hips and lower back creating other problems areas.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail grows into the soft surrounding skin causing discomfort, pain and swelling. If left untreated they can become infected. Ingrown toenails most often happen in the big toe and the most common causes are from wearing badly-fitting shoes, not cutting nails properly leaving them too short or too long, or trauma to the feet and nail bed.
Our team will assist in management of your ingrown nail and advise on the best ways to prevent ingrown toenails and help you manage them at home so that they stop recurring.
Hammer toes or claw toes
A hammer toe or claw toe is shaped like a claw, pulled back and upward relative to the other toes. It is common in people with bunions and often affects the second toe.
Hammer toes or claw toes can be caused by abnormal pulling of foot muscles, injuries and joint changes with arthritis. Badly fitting shoes, tight shoes, high heels and narrow shoes may contribute to developing hammer toes. The abnormal shape and position of claw toes or hammer toes and pressure from shoes or walking can cause growth of painful corns on the top or end of the toe or calluses on the ball of the foot. More about corns and calluses can be found here.
Why Choose Sanders Podiatry? Linden Park, Stirling or Mount Barker Clinics
Sanders Podiatry is dedicated to the complete care of your feet, making you comfortable, secure and stable on your feet throughout your life. We have a family-friendly podiatry clinic and address foot concerns at any age and for any problem. We are a client-centred clinic with individualised treatment plans to treat your unique condition.
Our gentle and practical approach to your foot care is with your long term wellbeing in mind, we are here to help you as well as educate and inform you about your feet and their longevity.
We are widely connected to organisations and associations setting standards for excellent foot care around Australia, namely:
• The Australian Podiatry Council
• The Australian Podiatry Association
• Sports Medicine Australia
• The Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
• Physitrack certified exercise prescription
• Arthritis Aware
Call us to book an appointment:
Sanders Podiatry in Linden Park – 08 8379 1456
Sanders Podiatry in Stirling – 08 8339 3344
Sanders Podiatry in Mount Barker – 08 8370 1590