HAMMERTOE
WHEN YOUR TOES BEND OR CURL
Hammertoes are a common foot condition where one or more of the smaller toes bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward, giving them a hammer-like appearance. This happens due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that usually keep the toes straight.
Causes of Hammertoes:
- Muscle Imbalance: Imbalanced muscles, tendons, and ligaments cause the toe joints to bend unnaturally.
- Footwear: Shoes that are too tight, narrow, or have high heels can squeeze the toes, leading to hammertoe over time.
- Trauma: Injury to a toe can cause it to develop a hammertoe.
- Arthritis: Conditions like arthritis can contribute to the development of hammertoes.
- Genetics: Some people are more prone to hammertoes due to inherited foot structure.
Symptoms:
- Bent or curled toes, usually the second, third, or fourth toes.
- Pain or discomfort when wearing shoes.
- Corns or calluses forming on the top of the bent joint.
- Redness, inflammation, or a burning sensation.
- Limited flexibility or inability to straighten the toe fully.
Types of Hammertoes:
- Flexible Hammertoe: The toe can still move at the joint and is in the early stages, making it easier to treat.
- Rigid Hammertoe: The toe is stuck in a bent position due to stiff tendons or joints, often requiring more advanced treatment.
There are three joints involved in digital deformities. They are the metatarsal phalangeal joint(MPJ), proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) and distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ).
Prevention Tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes with adequate toe space.
- Avoid high heels or shoes that squeeze the toes.
- Perform regular foot exercises to maintain flexibility and strength.
- Check your feet regularly if you have conditions like diabetes that can increase the risk of foot problems.
If untreated, hammertoes can become more painful and rigid, making it difficult to find comfortable footwear and leading to further complications like corns, calluses, or foot pain.
Ask about our minimally invasive way we treat hammertoes!
hAMMERTOE
treatment options
Hammertoe procedures have to be carefully planned depending on which joints are involved and how severe the deformity are at those joints. Some deformities are flexible and some are rigid. This all has to be taken into consideration when considering what procedure is best to correct the deformity.
treatment & surgery options
All of our doctors specialize in many advanced minimally and non-invasive treatments, and if necessary, advanced minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques with patient proven success stories.
Some of those are used to treat your hammertoes, such as:
At the Next Step Foot and Ankle Clinic 95% of our hammertoe surgeries are performed with a minimally invasive technique. This involves the use of local anesthetic and a needle.
NO SCALPEL, NO BIG INCISION, NO LONG RECOVERY and can be performed in a few minutes, requiring only 2 days recovery.
This procedure is performed with a needle. A dressing is applied. The patient leaves the dressing on for 2 days. Once the patient removes the dressing they are generally able to wear regular shoes as long as they are not too tight. They return to normal activities for the most part. In some cases, the toes feel bruised for a few days. No pins or hardware are needed. Occasionally some splinting is necessary and very rarely, more traditional surgery may be necessary. The biggest advantage of minimally invasive hammertoe surgery, besides the much shorter recovery, is that we have observed a more natural appearance of the toe after surgery. The toe assumes its correct clinical alignment in most cases. Your toes just look normal. No scar is seen. The length of the toe remains the same. This usually results in a very cosmetically pleasing appearance.
Rarely bone work may be needed. If such is the case that can also be done with minimally invasive techniques. The recovery is a little longer because you have to wait for bones to heal. But the recovery of a minimally invasive technique is still usually quicker than traditional hammer toe surgery.
Don't let those pesky hammertoes stop you from living your best life!
Don’t hide behind your shoes anymore!
Millions of Americans suffer from hammertoe, but only a small fraction of them seek medical attention.
The more you ignore it, the harder and more painful it is to correct.
If you have a hammertoe, call today or make an appointment online with expert podiatrists Dr. Darren Silvester and Dr. Gregory Larsen at Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic. The San Antonio-area practice has two convenient offices in Universal City and Pleasanton, Texas, to restore your feet.
Take the next step toward happy feet and schedule today!
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