Ways To Prevent Hammer Toe
About 60 million people suffer from hammer toe, a toe specialist doctor in Merrick can help. Hammer toe is characterized as a deformity occurring in the second, third, fourth, or fifth toe. The toe is bent into the shape of a hammer, hence why it is called hammer toe. Hammer toe is caused by a muscle imbalance or ill-fitting shoes. Hammer toe can be uncomfortable and cause problems when shopping for shoes. If you are looking for a toe specialist doctor in Merrick to treat your hammer toe, visit Cherrywood Foot Care! Continue reading below for more information on hammer toe.
Symptoms and Treatment
Some symptoms of hammer toe include calluses on the tip of the toe, pain in the toes and feet, difficulty finding shoes that fit, inflammation and swelling. Additionally, increased pressure on the toes is common. Hammer toe can be very painful and cause problems later on if left untreated. Some of the issues that can result include the toe being stuck in the “hammer” position. To fix this, surgery is required. Toe infections can also occur due to increased calluses and blisters caused by hammer toe. Hammer toe can be very painful when it comes to walking or even standing. Treatments for hammer toe include:
- Proper footwear with more soft toe space
- Toe exercises to increase strength, flexibility, and range of motion
- Cushions
- Nonmedicated corn pads
- Orthopedic shoes
Visit a toe specialist doctor in Merrick today if you are looking for relief from hammer toe.
How Can You Prevent Hammer Toe?
Since hammer toe is very common, doctors have determined ways to prevent hammer toe from developing. Doctors recommend checking your feet daily for problems, especially if you have a medical condition that can cause circulation problems in the toes and feet. Some ways to prevent hammer toe include:
- Maintain good circulation in the feet.
- One way to do this would be to elevate your feet when you’re sitting.
- Massage your feet frequently.
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
- Look for good arch support when buying shoes.
- Measure your feet frequently in case your size changes.
- Stretch your feet.
Contact A Toe Specialist Doctor in Merrick
Hammer toe can be an extremely uncomfortable thing to deal with. Therefore, taking preventative measures is highly important. The risk of developing hammer toe is much lower when you maintain proper circulation in the feet and, most importantly, wear the right shoes. At Cherrywood Foot Care, our toe specialist doctor in Merrick can help treat your hammer toe and provide you with ways to prevent it from worsening and developing. Contact us today to book an appointment!