What Are Hammertoes? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
- posted: Sep. 29, 2024
You could have a hammertoe if you have a painful toe bent at the middle toe joint. Hammertoes are a common condition and can be treated by your podiatrist. Dr. Jesse Anderson at AAL Podiatry Associates provides comprehensive foot and ankle care, including diagnosis and treatment of hammertoes. He has two convenient office locations in Suffolk and Norfolk, VA.
What You Need To Know About Hammertoes
Hammertoes develop due to a ligament and tendon imbalance, which causes your middle toe joint to point outward. Over time, the toe can’t be straightened, resulting in a hammerlike formation of the toe. Hammertoes most commonly occur on the second, third, or fourth toes.
Wearing shoes that are narrow or pointed can increase your risk of developing hammertoe, as your toes can become crushed together. High heels can also add to the risk, as your toes are pushed forward.
If you develop hammertoe, you may be able to get relief if you:
- Switch to more comfortable, wider shoes
- Stretch your toes individually to maintain flexibility
- Wear cushions or pads inside your shoes
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
If you have moderate to severe pain caused by a hammertoe, it’s best to visit a podiatrist for treatment. If untreated, hammertoes can cause problems with walking and standing.
Treatment begins with a thorough examination of your feet and toes. Your podiatrist may also recommend imaging studies to assess bone involvement. Depending on the degree of bone involvement, treatment for hammertoes ranges from non-invasive techniques to surgery and can include:
- Toe splints to realign your toe
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
- Surgery to realign your toe and foot
Want To Know More About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment?
To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for hammertoes, call Dr. Jesse Anderson at AAL Podiatry Associates. You can reach him in Suffolk, VA, by calling (757) 539-2098 or in Norfolk, VA, by calling (757) 625-2962, so call today.
- posted: Sep. 29, 2024
You could have a hammertoe if you have a painful toe bent at the middle toe joint. Hammertoes are a common condition and can be treated by your podiatrist. Dr. Jesse Anderson at AAL Podiatry Associates provides comprehensive foot and ankle care, including diagnosis and treatment of hammertoes. He has two convenient office locations in Suffolk and Norfolk, VA.
What You Need To Know About Hammertoes
Hammertoes develop due to a ligament and tendon imbalance, which causes your middle toe joint to point outward. Over time, the toe can’t be straightened, resulting in a hammerlike formation of the toe. Hammertoes most commonly occur on the second, third, or fourth toes.
Wearing shoes that are narrow or pointed can increase your risk of developing hammertoe, as your toes can become crushed together. High heels can also add to the risk, as your toes are pushed forward.
If you develop hammertoe, you may be able to get relief if you:
- Switch to more comfortable, wider shoes
- Stretch your toes individually to maintain flexibility
- Wear cushions or pads inside your shoes
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
If you have moderate to severe pain caused by a hammertoe, it’s best to visit a podiatrist for treatment. If untreated, hammertoes can cause problems with walking and standing.
Treatment begins with a thorough examination of your feet and toes. Your podiatrist may also recommend imaging studies to assess bone involvement. Depending on the degree of bone involvement, treatment for hammertoes ranges from non-invasive techniques to surgery and can include:
- Toe splints to realign your toe
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
- Surgery to realign your toe and foot
Want To Know More About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment?
To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for hammertoes, call Dr. Jesse Anderson at AAL Podiatry Associates. You can reach him in Suffolk, VA, by calling (757) 539-2098 or in Norfolk, VA, by calling (757) 625-2962, so call today.
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