26 Aug Hammertoe: Everything You Need To Know
What Is Hammertoe?
Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth and fifth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent, or has buckled, at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. It is caused by a complete or partial dislocation of the toe joints.
People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. This is due to the deformed toe continuously pressing up against their shoe.
What Does Hammertoe Look Like?
The lesser, or four smaller toes, possess two joints. The large, or big toe, only has one joint.
There are different names for different deformities, depending upon exactly which joints are dislocated and the consequential shape of the toes.
Deformities involving the joints of the lesser toes closest to the foot are known as hammertoes. Those occurring in the lesser toe joints closest to the nail are called mallet toes. Deformities involving both these joints are called claw toes. A deformed big toe is called a trigger toe.
Causes of Hammertoe
Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance. People with flat feet can develop hammertoes, as can those with bunions. Hammertoes are also hereditary.
Hammertoe Treatment
Treatment for hammertoes typically involves wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms. Moisturizing cream and silicon toe props may also be effective. In painful cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.
Is Surgery Required?
That is a decision that will be determined by you and Cherrywood Foot Care’s expert team of podiatric specialists. First things first: The pain should not be ignored. Your feet are trying to tell you something. They are damaged. They need help. Ignoring their pleas will only intensify and worsen the condition. Hammertoe surgery is a relatively simple surgery that can be performed at the Cherrywood Foot Care office. The entire procedure takes about 10-15 minutes.
If all the aforementioned treatment options have failed to remedy your pain and discomfort, then surgery may be the best solution. A tiny incision will enable our foot care professionals to correct the deformity, realign the tendons at the joint and begin the recovery process. Relief is finally yours.