Everything You Need to Know About Hammertoes
Everything You Need to Know About Hammertoes
Hammertoes are a defect that makes your toe(s) curl or bend. Some people are born with it… Others develop it over time because of arthritis, wearing ill-fitting/narrow/pointed footwear, tightened tendons, and in uncommon cases, because of the spinal cord or peripheral nerve impairment.
Anatomically toes have three joints in all smaller toes and 2 in the big toes. Hammertoes usually occurs when the middle joint becomes flexed or bends. Here, we give you a low-down on all you should know about this foot condition, from its types, symptoms to the risks and treatments.
Risks
You should be mindful of the following factors as they can enhance the possibility of hammertoe development:
Family history.
Wearing tight shoes or high heels for long periods.
It may be caused by bunion deformities.
Poor foot mechanics
Symptoms
A hammertoe makes it uncomfortable and, in some situations, even painful to walk as it leaves little wiggle room for the toe inside the footwear. When you have a hammertoe, it becomes onerous to stretch or move the affected region. The worst symptom is painful corn, as the shoe rubs on the top of the toe. Trouble walking, claw-like toes, and inability to flex or wiggle your toe.
Types
There are two types of hammertoes: flexible and rigid. Flexible hammertoe is an early stage where the affected toe can move at the central joint. Simple procedures can help treat it. Meanwhile, subjecting your feet to long-term abuse in ill-fitting shoes causes rigid hammertoes. Joints become misaligned, and surgery is the only way to correct it.
Treatment
1. New shoes
When you get a hammertoe because of wearing inappropriate footwear over the years, you need to switch to well-fitting, comfortable shoes. Meanwhile, consider buying over-the-counter toe pads, cushions, or insoles if the problem is because of high arch feet.
Buying the right-sized shoes will help with the problem in most cases since 95% of us wear the wrong size. However, it’s not sufficient if the hammertoe is old and hasn’t been treated for a long time. Eliminating severe cases requires a minor surgical procedure.
2. Over-the-counter (OTC) products
You can use OTC products to shelter and protect the skin around corns and calluses. However, consult a Podiatrist before using pads…You can also wear special orthotic devices inside your shoes. They will help realign your toes into their natural position. Also, shoemaker shoe stretching may be of benefit.
3. Hammertoe exercise
Regularly exercising your toe will strengthen the muscles and assist the hammertoe in pointing outward rather than inward. Try to curl and spread your toes out and then wiggle them. You can also try picking a pencil or a cloth with your toes to enhance your toe joints’ flexibility.
4. Surgery
Surgery is useful for improving movement when you cannot flex your toe. A Podiatrist will align the injured bone, realign your joint, and reposition the toe. Podiatrists treat such cases on an outpatient basis, suggesting you can go back home after the minor procedure without downtime… Getting timely treatment prevents the adjoining toes from deforming as well.
Accent on Feet
A Toronto-based Podiatry clinic, we have been correcting foot issues for the last 39 years with our unique procedures… We aim to help you live a healthier and more comfortable life. You don’t need a referral from a doctor to schedule a visit. You can book an appointment by calling us at (416) 635-8637 or 1-866-535-8637 (toll-free). Save time by bringing along a completed copy of this new patient form.
