Foot & Ankle Ailments:
Foot & Ankle Ailments:
Causes
Genetics and wearing shoes that are too tight, which puts pressure on the toe and forces it to bend. Other causes include bone deformities, neuromuscular problems, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Hammertoes requires a comprehensive approach, involving physician expertise, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging.
Muscle imbalance:
An imbalance in the muscles surrounding the toe joint can cause the toe to bend abnormally.
Hammertoes: Mild
Hammertoes oftentimes can be classified as being classic, or hammertoe, mallet toe, or claw toe. If left untreated, they are likely to become fixed and require either an in-office procedure or surgery. A first step in management should be the implementation of conservative measures such as mild hammertoes may be alleviated with various treatments including wide toed shoes, toe pads, and orthotics.
Symptoms
Contracture of the toe, angled toes, toes splitting apart, pain in or top of the toe(s) when wearing shoes, difficulty moving the toe, thickening of the skin on the toe, and/or formation of corns or calluses.
Treatment
Navigating Hammertoe treatment options requires a personalized approach.
Proper footwear:
Wearing shoes with a wide toe box and avoiding high heels can help reduce pressure on the affected toe joint.
Causes
Genetics and wearing shoes that are too tight, which puts pressure on the toe and forces it to bend. Other causes include bone deformities, neuromuscular problems, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Hammertoes requires a comprehensive approach, involving physician expertise, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging.
Muscle imbalance:
An imbalance in the muscles surrounding the toe joint can cause the toe to bend abnormally.
Hammertoes: Mild
Hammertoes oftentimes can be classified as being classic, or hammertoe, mallet toe, or claw toe. If left untreated, they are likely to become fixed and require either an in-office procedure or surgery. A first step in management should be the implementation of conservative measures such as mild hammertoes may be alleviated with various treatments including wide toed shoes, toe pads, and orthotics.
Symptoms
Contracture of the toe, angled toes, toes splitting apart, pain in or top of the toe(s) when wearing shoes, difficulty moving the toe, thickening of the skin on the toe, and/or formation of corns or calluses.
Treatment
Navigating Hammertoe treatment options requires a personalized approach.
Proper footwear:
Wearing shoes with a wide toe box and avoiding high heels can help reduce pressure on the affected toe joint.