Forward Best Foot Forward by Vincent James Sammarco, M.D ., Orthopedic Foot and Ankle specialist with The Center for Orthopaedic Care . Painful foot conditions make the simple act of walking around not to mention exercising a chore.
Orthopedic disorders are the leading cause of inactivity and disability in the United States.
The majority of foot disorders are treatable such as hammer toes and bunions. A hammer toe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes causing the toe to bend at the middle joint and curl under. Initially, hammer toes are flexible and can be corrected with simple measures, but if left untreated they may require surgery. Hammer toes can be caused by heredity, arthritis, or a tight tendon that won t allow the toe to flatten. Most often, however, it s due to ill-fitting shoes.