All About Hammertoes

All About Hammertoes
What is hammertoe? Hammertoe is a a bending or a contracture of one or both joints of the toes, affecting the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. Pressure can be on the toes when wearing shoes.
Hammertoe usually starts out as a mild deformity and gets progressively worse. Early stages the toes are flexible and the symptoms can be managed by noninvasive measures. Left untreated hammertoes can become more set and will not respond to non-surgical treatment.
Because hammertoes become more severe early intervention is the best treatment, to prevent them from becoming worse.
Hammertoes are caused by is a muscle or tendon imbalance. This imbalance, leads to a bending of the toe, results in structural changes in the foot that occur over time. This condition can be aggravated by improperly fitting shoes. Often if a toe is too long and forced int a shoe this can result in hammertoes. Occasionally hammertoes can be the result of earlier trauma to the toes, and in some people its inherited. Occasionally, hammertoe is the result of an earlier trauma to the toe. In some people, hammertoes are inherited.
Symptoms of hammertoe:
• Irritation or pain of the toe when wearing shoes
• Corns and calluses on the toe, between two toes, or on the ball of the foot. They may be soft or hard, depending upon their location.
• Inflammation, redness, or a burning sensation
• Contracture of the toe
• In severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may occur
The symptoms of hammertoes are readily apparent, a foot and ankle surgeon will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot to arrive at a diagnosis. During the examination, the doctor may try to duplicate your symptoms by manipulating your foot and study the toes. The podiatrist may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformities and assess changes that have occurred.
Hammertoes don't go away by themselves and usually get worse over time. Once your podiatrist has diagnosed hammertoe a treatment plan can be developed according to your case.
There are many treatment options for hammertoes. Your podiatrist will depend upon the severity of your hammertoe and other factors.
A number of non-surgical measures can be undertaken:
• Your podiatrist can provide or prescribe pads for the corns and calluses to shield corns from irritation. If you try over-the-counter pads, avoid the medicated types. Medicated pads are generally not recommended for this type of padding, they may contain a small amount of acid that can be harmful.
• Change your footwear, avoid shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short, or shoes with high heels - any shoes that force your toe against the front of the shoe. Wear shoes that are comfortable with a deep toe box and heels that are now higher than 2 inches.
• An orthotic device placed in your shoe may help the muscle/tendon imbalance.
• Corticosteroid injections therapy are often used to ease pain and inflammation.
• You can use ibuprofen or an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
• A splint or strap may be applied by your podiatrist to realign the affected toe.
In some patients if the hammertoe has gone untreated and become extremely rigid and painful or when an open sore has occurred surgery is needed.
Your podiatrists will select the procedure your particular case, the podiatrist will take into account if there are bunions or other foot deformities. Your podiatrist will take into account number of toes involved, your physical health, your activity level, and other factors involved. The recovery period will vary depending on the procedure performed.

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