Hammer Toes

Hammertoes are structural deformities in your toes that cause them to bend in a claw-like fashion. They can be painful and affect your mobility. To restore movement, call on Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates P.C. in Park City and Chicago, Illinois. The team specializes in advanced foot care and can help solve your problem with hammertoes. Call today or book your appointment online.

What are hammertoes?

Hammertoes are toes that bend abnormally at their middle joints, resembling tiny hammers. The condition typically affects the second, third, and fourth toes. They might be flexible now and just look funny, but over time, they can get stiff, start to hurt, and affect your mobility.

Signs of hammertoes include a noticeable bend in the toes, corns or calluses on the top of the middle toe joint, pain when you walk, difficulty wearing shoes, and the inability to straighten your toes.

What causes hammertoes?

Hammertoes are caused by a combination of factors. Genetics is a big one. If hammertoes run in your family, you might be more likely to get them. 

Sometimes, it’s your shoes — especially tight or high-heeled ones that crowd your toes. You may also have a muscle imbalance or a structural issue with your foot that puts too much pressure on your tendons and joints. 

Injuries, arthritis, and diabetes also contribute to the development of hammertoes.

How are hammertoes diagnosed and treated?

First, the team meets with you to examine your feet and toes, review your medical and family history, and talk about your symptoms. They look for the root cause of the problem and take X-rays to understand the severity of the contractures in your toes.

Your treatment options for hammertoes depend on how early you catch the problem. If your toes are still flexible, the team is usually able to treat them without surgery. Solutions are always tailored to your specific needs and include physical therapy and stretching exercises, changes in footwear, taping, toe pads, and orthotics.

If your toes have stiffened up too much and conservative therapies haven’t worked, your podiatrist may recommend a surgical solution. Surgery usually involves arthroplasty, where your surgeon removes a piece of toe bone, repositions the toe, or realigns your joints and tendons to straighten the toes. 

The sooner you seek treatment at either the Park City or Chicago office, the more options you’ll have.

To restore movement and get relief from complications of hammertoe, call Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates P.C. today to set up an appointment or use the online scheduling option at your convenience.