What Are Hammer Toes? Causes & Treatment

This article focuses on What Are Hammer Toes? Causes & Treatment.

A hammertoe is a bent toe that occurs due to weakened muscle. A hammertoe appears deformed and it looks like a hammer. Hammertoes can be hereditary or can also occur due to shoes that are too short. Hammertoes can look simple but over time they can turn complicated. Hammertoe surgery is very effective against hammertoes.

Hammertoes look hammer-like or claw-like and cause pain while walking or moving the foot, it becomes difficult to move the toe, corns may form on the top of toe and callus may appear on the sole. Pressure and irritation over the joint can cause a blister to develop which turns into corn over time. Corns may become painful if they develop redness or bleeding and one may find it difficult to wear shoes and socks.

Hammertoes if treated initially can be managed even by non-surgical methods. Your hammertoes can become complicated or rigid with time. Then you can treat them using hammertoe surgery. Hammertoes surgery in Baltimore is successful. It offers long-lasting results.

Hammertoes are greatly dependent on the type of footwear we choose. Wearing high heels can lead to hammertoes. High heels force the toes to overlap and bend at the middle joint of the toe, which causes hammertoes to occur.

One should avoid wearing high heels or very tight shoes as they can lead to hammertoes, and especially if you have a family history of hammertoes. Hammertoes are progressive and can cause pain and distortion of the toe gradually. It is important to get the hammertoes treated timely to avoid any complications. Famous Podiatrists in Baltimore provides the best hammertoes surgery in Baltimore.

Causes of Hammertoes:

1. Tight Shoes are the greatest cause of hammertoes.

2. Genetics

3. Injury in the toe

4. Arthritis

5. Nerve or muscle damage in the toe.

Hammertoe Surgery and treatment

You need to treat hammertoes according to the stage of hammertoe. If you can bend your toe, your surgeon may suggest conservative care—relieving pressure with padding and strapping, or proper shoes that have a deep toe box are loose enough to wear. If treated timely, you can avoid surgery for your hammertoes.

At a later stage, when your toe is not able to bend, you may require a surgery. Sometimes, if the deformity is severe enough, the toe bones may be fused to avoid bending of the toe. After the hammertoe surgery, you may require crutches to prevent weight from affecting your foot. The surgeon may prescribe you walking boots or shoes for your post-operative period. For people with chronic diseases, your doctor may plan additional conservative treatment.

Hammertoes can cause various complications if left untreated like difficulty walking, foot deformities etc. You should get your hammertoe surgery done from famous podiatrists in Baltimore.

To avoid hammertoes do not wear shoes that are too narrow or tight, wear comfortable shoes, wear thick-soled shoes and low-heel shoes. Have your feet checked regularly by a podiatrist and do stretching exercises daily to strengthen your muscles in your feet

Hammertoes can cause various difficulties so if you get hammertoes, you should get them treated at an early stage or go for hammertoe surgery in Baltimore by experienced podiatrists

.

If you are looking for hammertoe surgery, you should get hammertoe surgery from famous podiatrists like Podiatry Associates in Baltimore to get excellent results at the most competitive prices.