Orthotic Blanks: Prevent Hammertoe Corns on Feet

Orthotic Blanks: Prevent Hammertoe Corns on Feet: Hammertoes are when the toes contract and form hammer like digits. The knuckles on top of the toes can then rub against the shoe causing fr...

Prevent Hammertoe Corns on Feet

Hammertoes are when the toes contract and form hammer like digits. The knuckles on top of the toes can then rub against the shoe causing friction. This friction will make the skin to try to protect itself by growing more skin, which becomes a corns on feet. These corns on feet from the hammertoes causes pain, irritation and possible infection. Similar process occurs on the tips of the toes where the skin rubs against the bottom of the shoe. Foot callus occurs on the pad of the foot from downward pressure.

To prevent corns on feet one must decrease the friction on the toe knuckles of the hammertoe, use a corn pad or a crest pad. Corn pads are adhesive toe pads that encircle the hammertoe knuckle to off load the pressure points, thus reducing friction on the skin. This off loading by the corn pads will reduce corns on feet. These corn pad foot products can be felt, foam or reusable, self sticking gel. One does not want to use a callus remover on hammertoes due to the risk of infection.

rubbing on shoes. This can be accomplished with a

Another way to prevent corn on feet is to use a Crest Pad. Another term is a Buttress Pad. These crest pads have an adjustable loop to attach the crest (buttress) pad to the toe. The bottom of the adjustable crest pad lies under the hammertoe and lifts it. The straightened hammertoe then can not rub against  the shoe causing corns on feet. These foot pads come in medical grade gel.

Thus we have two ways in decreasing corns on feet. One is to wear a corn pad and the other is to wear an adjustable crest pad.

Atlas Biomechanics is one of the largest producers of US made foot products. We offer our products in bulk/wholesale discount packs to the medical community and the general public.

by Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Orthotic Blanks: Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge

Orthotic Blanks: Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge: A varus or valgus heel wedge s that can be easily fabricated from our adjustable heel lift, the Triple V Heel Lift are meant to decrease ei...

Varus and Valgus Heel Wedge

A varus or valgus heel wedges that can be easily fabricated from our adjustable heel lift, the Triple V Heel Lift are meant to decrease either supination or pronation of the subtalar joint. Improving the stabilization of the subtalar joint with a varus heel wedge or a valgus heel wedge can improve foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back function. A heel wedge can improve an abnormal heel strike and drecrease painful joint, muscle and tendon motion further up the kinetic chain.

Some examples were a practitioner would us our Triple V Heel Lift with its either valgus or varus heel wedge. A typical patient with limb length discrepancy will have their short leg in subtalar supination to compensate and basicly to get their foot on the ground. As the patient goes through the gait cycle, they will have excessive pronation at the subtalar joint.  If one would place our height adjustable shoe lift into a varus wedge, then the heel (calcaneus) is stabilized at heel strike.

Indications for a varus heel wedge:
1. excessive subtalar joint pronation (flatfoot, collapsing arch)
2. medial ankle sprains
3. shin splints
4. plantar fasciitis
5. posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
6. calcaneal eversion
7. medial knee syndromes

Indications for a valgus heel wedge:
1. excessive subtalar joint supination
2. lateral ankle sprains
3. lateral knee syndromes
4. peroneal tendonitis
5. calcaneal inversion

View our Triple V Heel Lift, the only height adjustable heel lift with a varus or valgus heel wedge.

by Teri Green