What to Do About Hammertoes

It is a disfigurement where the toe bends overhead on the toes. It begins with a muscle imbalance that puts pressure on the toes. Calluses may develop on the top of the toe joints because of ill-fitting shoes. Hammer toe pain relief is available at a podiatrist’s office.

The affected toe bends upward looking like a hammer. Pain can be experienced when wearing shoes or moving with increased chances of developing a callous. Occasionally, burning sensations, swelling, and inflammation can be felt. The incapability to unbend the toes is the main symptom whereas worse cases have open blisters that develop on the joints.

The foot doctor conducts a physical test to estimate the condition of the toe by moving the toe. An x-ray is done to examine the bone structure of the affected toes. Sharp-toed shoes are common causes of hammertoes since the toe muscles grow weaker and they can no longer unbend.

You need to talk to a foot and ankle specialist at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale has several options for hammertoe treatment similar to surgery to unbend toes or maybe give some hammertoe pain relief. Do not ever feel ashamed because of hammertoes.

Risk factors of hammertoes

·        Type of shoes such as too-tight shoes or high- heels where the toes are involuntary into a flexed position.

·        Women are more likely to develop hammertoes maybe because of the kind of sharp-pointed shoes that women wear.

·        When the toe is Injured or broken, it's more likely to develop a hammertoe.

·        Age The risk of getting hammertoe increases with age.

·        Toe length If the length of the toes is uneven hammertoe is likely to do.

·        Patients with underlying conditions,such as diabetes or arthritis,are more likely to develop foot problems.

·        Hammertoes are heritable and may run in families.

Surgery for curled toes options

Surgery is effective for hammertoes. If you have rheumatoid arthritis that causes hammertoes, it is recommended that you treat the condition first. The surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure meaning you can go home. It is done under local anesthetic and the toe is numbed and the patient is awake during the operation. It prevents complications and shortens the recovery time.

Tendon transfer: Performed on a flexible hammertoe, tendon transfer pulls the toe into the correct position. The podiatrist pulls the toe into a straighter position, compensating for the muscle appearance. This surgery reduces pain and straightens the toe.

Joint resection: It is performed on fixed hammertoe. The podiatrist cuts ligaments to remove a portion of the bone.

Fusion: Reduces the inflexibility of a fixed hammertoe. Portions of the joint are removed so that they grow together. The ligaments,tendons, and the ends of the bones are cut and pins are used to keep the joints. The pins are removed after the joint has bonded.

Amputation: In cases of pain from the hammertoe, a podiatrist might remove the toe. Removing the toe can change the balance of the bottom and its appearance changes and it can be hazardous.

Still, you are more at threat of having surgery to relieve the pain. If you ignore a hammertoe and continue wearing unfit footwear and refuse to seek a hammertoe treatment, hammertoes worsen. Consult a foot doctor in continently if you notice the symptoms.However, check with your podiatrist,if the specified treatments do not solve the issue.