A hammer toe is a deformity of the foot, typically developing on the second, third or fourth toe. This condition occurs when a toe is bent at the middle joint instead of lying flat. In early stages, the toe will be flexible and can be corrected easily, but left untreated, it can become stiff and rigid, which will require surgery to fix. If you have questions about hammertoes and the treatment options available, contact Atlanta foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Lance Silverman today!
Hammertoe Causes and Symptoms
Hammer toes are caused by improperly fitting shoes, muscle imbalance or a combination of the two. To avoid hammer toes, make sure your shoes are comfortable and that they allow plenty of room for your toes to move. If they are too tight or push against your toes, this will naturally cause your toe to shift to a hammer toe position. High heels can also put pressure on the toes and lead to muscle imbalances in the foot, which can contribute to the onset of hammer toes.
Symptoms of the condition include:
- Visible bend of the toe
- Loss of flexibility in the toe
- Corns or calluses
- Discomfort or minor pain
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hammertoes
A hammer toe is one of the few conditions that foot and ankle specialists can diagnose with certainty just by looking at your foot and by performing a couple simple physical tests of the toe. Your doctor will perform a couple of range of motion and flex tests to determine how far the condition has progressed. By figuring out how rigid the hammer toe is, your doctor will be able to come up with a treatment plan that has a high chance of successfully treating the hammer toe.
If the hammer toe is in its early stages, your doctor will probably advise some conservative measures, including changing your footwear options. Again, you’ll want a shoe with a wide toe box so your toes have plenty of room to breathe. Your doctor may also suggests some stretching exercises that you can do from the comfort of your home to help strengthen muscles in your feet. These will help to counteract some muscle imbalances that may be contributing to the hammer toe. Most people notice that their hammer toe responds well to conservative treatment options.
Atlanta Hammertoe Surgeon
If you have a rigid hammer toe or it doesn’t respond to non-operative methods, surgery may be an option. Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis. Your doctor will work to straighten the deformity using minimally invasive techniques, and your specific operation will vary depending on your personal situation. You may have some stiffness, redness or swelling for a couple days after the surgery, but the bend in your toe should be gone or severely decreased. Keep your foot elevated and listen to your doctor’s instructions for caring for your foot after your operation.
For more information, or to talk to Dr. Silverman about your foot issue, contact his office today.