Treating Your Hammertoes
Hammertoes can be painful and debilitating, affecting your ability to stay active. The good news is, your podiatrist can treat hammertoes to give you pain relief and get you back on your feet. The Board Certified podiatrists at FOOTDRx offer comprehensive podiatry services, including treatment of hammertoes. They have convenient office locations in Englewood, NJ, and Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY, and Manhattan, NY, to help you and your feet.
What You Need To Know About Hammertoes
A hammertoe gets its name because it looks like a hammer, with the toe joint bending outward. The joint begins to rub against other toes or the inside of your shoe, causing irritation, inflammation, and pain. Hammertoes are most common in the second, third, or fourth toe. These are some of the main causes of hammertoes:
- A muscle or tendon imbalance
- Pressure from a bunion
- A traumatic injury to your toe
- Wearing narrow shoes that crush your toes together
- Degenerative joint conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
There are a few steps you can take to relieve pain and stiffness from hammertoes. You should:
- Stretch each toe individually with your fingers
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
- Wear wide shoes with room for your toes
- Wear open-toed shoes or sandals
- Try to pick up items from the floor with your toes
If you develop a hammertoe which is severe and painful, you need to visit your podiatrist, who may recommend:
- Custom orthotics or footwear to correct a muscle/tendon imbalance
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain
- Splints to straighten and realign your toe joint and toe
If your hammertoe becomes stiff and inflexible, affecting your ability to put on shoes, stand, and walk, your podiatrist may recommend surgical treatment to realign your toe. Your podiatrist can discuss this option with you.
Want To Know More?
To find out more about the causes of hammertoes and hammertoe treatment, call the Board Certified podiatrists at FOOTDRx. You can reach them in any of their office locations in Englewood, NJ, and Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY, and Manhattan, NY, by calling (888) 265-0610 or (201) 816-8778, so call today.