Treatment of Hammertoe That Works

Toe deformities rarely happen overnight. You may first notice the toe starting to curl or bend. Soon after you may start to experience pain when wearing shoes or walking around during the day. Although toe deformities can become painful over time, you have treatment options during every stage of hammertoe. You’ll want to address the issue as soon as possible to limit the pain you experience while walking or standing. Taking care of your toes from the beginning can slow or even reverse the progression of your deformity.

How Hammertoe Develops and Changes Over Time

The joint of your toe begins to flex and your tendon muscles begin to fight against each other. Once this happens your toe will begin to curl in on itself. Many times, pressure from your footwear or your foot type will cause your toes to bend the other way.

Toe joint will become tight as your toe deformity progresses. During the beginning stages you will still be able to straighten your toe out. Once your hammertoe becomes fixed you will not be able to move your toe back into its normal position.

Symptoms of Hammertoe You Will Experience Before It Gets Worse

Typically you will feel some irritation or rubbing on the top of your toe. The skin on top of your toe may begin to turn red when you wear certain shoes. As hammertoe worsens you may experience pain when you walk.

The knuckle of your toe will begin to protrude upward pushing against your shoe. As your toe continues to curl you may begin to develop a corn or callus where your shoe rubs against your toe. These are signs that your hammertoe is worsening, and needs to be treated before it

becomes fixed.

Footwear and Changes You Can Make to Help Reduce Pain

The most important thing you can do is wear shoes that have a roomy toe box and soft upper material. Footwear that fits properly will help relieve pressure on your toe. Additionally, you should avoid heels or tight shoes that cause irritation to your toes.

Use padding or a toe sleeve to minimize friction. While this will not correct the issue it will provide some relief from your symptoms. Protective padding can be applied directly to the top of your toe to prevent rubbing as you go about your day.

Foot Exercises and Orthotic Support Can Help

To properly treat your toe you must first strengthen the muscles around your foot. By incorporating foot exercises into your daily routine you can restore some of the balance around your toes.

Orthotic inserts can also help treat your hammertoe symptoms. Certain foot inserts will redistribute your weight across your foot when you walk or stand. This can help alleviate some of the pressure you are putting on your affected joint.

Our doctors at Treasure Valley Foot and Ankle will usually treat our patients with a combination of the above. This allows us to target your symptoms and mechanics for a well-rounded solution.

What to Do When Pain Persists and Conservative Care Isn’t Enough

If you have pain despite following the steps above, your toe may have progressed into a fixed deformity. When this occurs, your hammertoe becomes rigid, and non-surgical treatment is less effective. You may even experience pain while sitting or not putting pressure on your foot.

At this point you should seek medical treatment to determine if your condition can be improved with surgery. Many people will need to have their toe realigned to properly treat their hammertoe.

Treating Hammertoe with Surgery and What to Expect

Surgery can help patients regain normal alignment of their toe. If your hammertoe is still flexible your doctor may be able to simply adjust the balance of your tendons. If your toe is rigid you will most likely need to have your toe joint realigned.

Toe realignment surgery is a common procedure that is done on an outpatient basis. You should take care not to put pressure on your foot while it heals. Once your foot has healed you can gradually begin putting more pressure on it while you walk. Pain and deformity can be drastically reduced by having your toe treated with surgery.

Consistency Is Key With Any Treatment Plan

You may not notice drastic changes when you begin your treatment, but that doesn’t mean it’s not working. If you feel you’re experiencing less pain throughout the day while walking or wearing shoes you’re on the right track.

Consistency with your footwear choices and foot strengthening will allow you to see continued improvements. By following your doctors treatment plan and taking care of your feet you can expect successful results.

Take Action Against Hammertoe Deformity Today

Left untreated your toe deformity can cause chronic pain and limp. Severely damaged toes may need to be amputated if they become infected or too much damage has occurred. The longer you wait to treat your hammertoe the harder it will be to correct your deformity.

Even if you think your condition is too far gone there are treatments that can help. Schedule an appointment with our doctors today and take your first step towards healthier feet!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Hammertoe to Develop?

Muscle imbalance is what typically causes your hammertoe to develop. Some of the most common causes are tight shoes, high heels, or an imbalance in your foot structure that is putting abnormal pressure on your toes.

Can Hammertoe Be Corrected Without Surgery?

Treating your hammertoe with conservative methods can help slow or sometimes reverse the progression of your deformity. Foot exercises, shoes with a spacious toe box, padding, and orthotics are all great ways to treat your hammertoe without surgery.

happens,When Would Someone Need Surgery for Hammertoe?

If your hammertoe becomes rigid or you continue to experience pain while doing normal day activities, you may need surgery. Surgery for hammertoe is very common, and our doctors can help determine if you are a candidate.