3 Ways to Treat Hammertoes
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we encourage our patients who detect symptoms of hammertoe to seek treatment promptly. Hammertoes can occur in the second, third or fourth toe. They are a progressive condition, meaning they won’t improve without intervention. A hammertoe may start as a slight contracture of the toe. As time goes on, however, the deformity will increase, and the toe may eventually become rigidly fixed in the bent state. In addition to the telltale hammer-like bend, you may also notice pain or irritation on the top of your toe. This discomfort is created by the pressure and friction of footwear on the top of the bent toe. If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to make an appointment at our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office. Our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, will examine your toe and get a complete medical history. X-rays may be ordered to assess the extent of the deformity and also to use for assessing progression of the deformity in the future.
Early Intervention
If the podiatrist diagnoses a hammertoe, there are multiple conservative treatment options including:
Shoe Modifications—although hammertoe is most often caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance, your choice of footwear can exacerbate this condition. Shoes that are pointy and have short toe boxes can force the toe against the front of the shoe and cause it to bend. High heels also exert considerable pressure on the toes by forcing them forward.
Strapping or Splinting—in some cases, the foot doctor may recommend taping or splinting the affected toe or toes in order to re-align them into the proper, unbent position.
Custom orthotic device—an insert for your shoes that is made of an exact mold of your foot may be able to help correct the underlying muscle/tendon imbalance. This, in turn, can slow the progression of a hammertoe.
If you suspect a hammertoe is developing, contact one of our Nature Coast offices as soon as possible to get it evaluated.