You've about had it when it comes to only being able to wear one pair of shoes. Each step you take in a different pair of shoes hurts and you're limited to doing certain activities. You'd like to get back to walking but you can't because of pain and discomfort, as well as dealing with the growth of corns and calluses. It's time to say goodbye to hammertoes and hello to freedom.
Our Board-Certified Doctors are Here to Help You Heal and Prevent Any Hammertoe that Comes Your Way
Here at Coastal Podiatry Associates, our doctors take a comprehensive approach carefully assessing the root causes and designing a customized treatment plan to address contributing factors. Ensure long-lasting improvement, they will reduce the likelihood of the problem returning. Many patients who come to us for hammertoe treatment have endured discomfort for years.
We are committed to providing both quick relief and long-lasting results for a wide range of foot concerns, including hammertoes.
What is a Hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a toe with a bend at the middle of the joint, causing the end of the toe to point downward. There are different types of hammertoes, Flexible Hammertoes can still bend and move but a noticeable curl is starting to form. Semi-rigid hammertoes are noticeably stiff or hard to curl. Rigid hammertoes are the most advanced and are frozen in the curled position.
Causes
- Tight-fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too narrow, too tight, or do not have enough arch support
- Trauma/ injury: A jammed or stubbed toe can develop a hammertoe
- Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to joint deformities like a hammertoe
- Bunions: Untreated bunions can cause changes in the muscles and tendons throwing the alignment off
There are several more causes for why hammertoes form. Be cautious of the following symptoms to catch the formation sooner than later.
Symptoms
- Pain on the toe's top or tip (end)
- Difficulty moving
- Stiffness
- Redness and swelling
- Corns and calluses
Surgery
The only thing that can correct a hammertoe involves surgery. Every patient is different and the time it takes to recover from a hammertoe surgery can vary. Less severe hammertoe deformities can often be corrected with an in-office procedure and recovery can be as little as a couple of weeks. More severe hammertoes require outpatient surgery and can take several months to completely recover and return to full activity.
