Hammertoe is a deformity that causes an abnormal bend at the middle joint, leaving the toe bent in a way that looks a little like the metal part of a hammer.
This condition develops progressively, meaning that you start with mild weakness and deformity in affected toes, but it worsens over time.
Severe hammertoes may result in foot pain or problems with calluses or sores. In some cases, surgical intervention is the only way to straighten your toe or toes. But before your hammertoe progresses to that stage, you can use simple strategies to slow or even reverse progression.
At Town Center Foot & Ankle of Kingwood, Texas, Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer (“Dr. Ike”) and our team support patients at every stage of dealing with hammertoes. Here are some of our top tips for hammertoe prevention or reversing deformity in the early stages.
Frequently, people develop hammertoes as a result of tight, toe-pinching shoes or footwear. That’s why women are much more likely to suffer from hammertoes than men. If you start to notice abnormal bending in your toes, take some time to review your footwear choices.
Are you spending a lot of time standing in shoes with a narrow toe box or in high-heeled shoes that incorrectly distribute pressure across your forefoot? If so, switching to more toe-friendly footwear may go a long way toward hammertoe prevention.
Look for shoes with plenty of room in the toe box, and stick to moderate heels if you want to prevent hammertoe progression.
If just switching to more comfortable shoes doesn’t do enough to improve your toe shape, you may benefit from customized orthotic inserts, available to you through Town Center Foot & Ankle.
Orthotics give your feet extra support where you need it most and can be used effectively and discreetly with most shoe types.
If developing hammertoes are starting to cause calluses or sore spots on your feet due to rubbing against your shoes, padding can be a big help. You can also use taping to gently correct the abnormal bend of early stage hammertoes.
For expert guidance on using these techniques, talk to Dr. Ike and our Town Center Foot & Ankle team.
Hammertoes occur due to an underlying weakness in the ligaments and connective tissues of your front foot. Your second toe is likely to be affected, although any of your toes can suffer from this type of deformity.
Physical therapy uses targeted stretches and exercises to address areas of weakness, misalignment, and instability in your feet and ankles. If you’re concerned about developing hammertoe, learn more about physical therapy stretches or exercises.
At Town Center Foot & Ankle, we offer in-house physical therapy. That means it’s easy and convenient for you to receive expert advice and support as you explore what physical therapy can do for you.
For help with hammertoes, before deformity becomes severe and requires surgery, request an evaluation at Town Center Foot & Ankle today. Schedule your initial consultation over the phone, or request an appointment online now.
