A hammertoe can make it difficult to walk or even move your toes without pain. The orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC offer a range of solutions to eliminate the discomfort of a hammertoe. The team provides high-quality foot care at its offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Forest Hills, New York, Gramercy, New York, New York, & East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. To schedule an evaluation for hammertoe, call your nearest office or make an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat is a hammertoe?
If your toes are permanently bent and face down like a hammer, you have a condition called hammertoe. Your toes stay in this bent position even when your foot is at rest, and you can have difficulty or discomfort when you try to straighten them.
What causes hammertoe?
Hammertoe is the result of an imbalance in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of your toes. Structural asymmetry in your feet is often caused by wearing tight shoes or high heels. Other things that can contribute to hammertoe include:
- Toe length
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Foot injuries
Hammertoes often run in families. Women are more likely to have hammertoes than men, and they are more common in older adults. Diabetes doesn’t cause a hammertoe, but it can cause complications if you have a hammertoe, so be sure to schedule routine foot checkups at the Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC if you have diabetes.
Does a hammertoe cause any other symptoms?
Most of the time, a hammertoe appears in the second, third, or fourth toe. Some other symptoms associated with a hammertoe include:
- Pain in the ball of your foot
- Corns on top of your toe joint
- Limited range of motion
- Painful toe movement
For many people, hammertoes are most painful when wearing shoes because the angle of your toes causes the tops of them to press against the inside of your shoe. This can also cause corns to form on the tops of your toes.
How is hammertoe treated?
If your podiatrist at Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC determines that you have a hammertoe, they’ll begin with a conservative approach to relieve your discomfort and address structural imbalances. Treatment for a hammertoe can include:
- Exercises and stretches
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Toe splints
- Custom orthotics
- Removal of corns or calluses
Most of the time, these treatments will take care of the pain and discomfort of hammertoe. In some cases, though, surgery is required to correct a structural imbalance. The team at the Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC are experienced foot surgeons who can safely treat hammertoe, giving you permanent pain relief.
Don’t let the discomfort of hammertoe prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. Schedule an evaluation at the clinic nearest you today by calling Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC or making an appointment online.