A hammertoe is a deformity in one or more of the smaller toes. You may notice that the toe is bending up at the middle joint, making it resemble a hammer. Hammertoes are caused by a ligament and muscle imbalance in the affected toe joint.
Wearing shoes that are too short resulting in the toe bending to fit the shoe is a major cause of hammertoes. Do other family members like your mother and father have hammertoes? If so, you may be susceptible to this condition.
This deformity is not only unattractive but can also cause problems walking because of toe pain. Also, because the middle joint is raised too much, it can rub against footwear causing calluses or blisters.
Hammertoes Must Be Treated Professionally
Hammertoes are often successfully treated conservatively including:
Anti-inflammatory medications to ease swelling and pain.
Cortisone injections.
Custom-molded orthotics to relieve pain and also prevent the hammertoe from worsening.
Splinting can help if the joint is still fairly flexible.
Switching to shoes with a wide toe box and low heels.
You Can Keep Hammertoes from Getting Worse
Always wear supportive, low-heeled shoes with plenty of room in the front of the shoe and a wide toe box.
Do toe exercises to keep them flexible – pick up a marble with your toes and scrunch a towel too.
Over-the-counter hammertoe pads can relieve pressure from the top of the toe joint.
Try at-home toe massage and ice packs to ease pain and swelling.
We Can Help Relieve Hammertoe Pain
If you have any problems with your toenails, or neuropathy or any foot problem like heel pain or plantar fasciitis, discomfort from arthritis, an injury or just from overuse, please call Michele Kurlanski, DPM at Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Kurlanski offers expert and professional podiatry services in Cumberland County, Maine. Please call us today at 207-774-0028 to schedule your appointment in our Scarborough office