If one or more of your toes are bent and painful, you could have hammertoes, a common toe condition that can be treated by your podiatrist. Dr. Brandi Johnson and Dr. Mark Leitner at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists in Brandon, FL, offer comprehensive foot and ankle services, including diagnosis and treatment of hammertoes.
What You Need To Know About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment
Hammertoes typically develop on the second, third, or fourth toes. They look like a hammers because they are bent outward at the toe joint. Some of the most common reasons you may develop a hammertoe are due to:
- 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
For mild hammertoe pain, you can try a few simple remedies to get relief, including:
- Stretching each toe individually with your fingers
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
- Wearing shoes with a wide toe box, so your toes can move freely
- Wearing open-toed shoes or sandals
- Trying to pick up items from the floor with your toes
For moderate to severe hammertoe pain, you need to seek out the help and expertise of 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
For severe hammertoe pain which is causing problems with your mobility, your podiatrist may recommend toe surgery. Toe surgery realigns your toe joint and your toe.
Want to Know More About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment?
To find out more about hammertoes and how your podiatrist can help, call Dr. Johnson and Dr. Leitner at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists in Brandon, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (813) 571-2977, so call today.