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Tuesday 9:00-5:00
Wednesday 9:00-5:00
Thursday 9:00-4:00 Friday: Surgery Saturday: Closed
Hammertoe
Hammertoes are painful deformities that frequently
form on the second, third, or fourth toe. The
condition is often caused by an issue in foot
mechanics: the person’s particular gait or the
manner in which they walk, or shoes that do not
comfortably fit the deformity. Hammertoes can be
formed after wearing shoes that are too narrow or
short for the foot or have excessively high heels.
Shoes that are not properly sized will force the toes
into a bent position for long periods of time, causing
the muscles to shorten and toes to bend into the
deformity of a hammertoe.
Hammertoe can also be caused by complications
from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, trauma to
the foot, heredity, or a cerebral vascular accident.
Pain and difficult mobility of the toes, deformities,
calluses, and corns are all symptoms of a
hammertoe.
Someone who suspects they have the symptoms of
a hammertoe should consult with a
physician—particularly a podiatrist. Podiatrists
diagnose and treat complications of the foot and
ankle. If the podiatrist discovers that the affected
toes are still flexible, treatment for the hammertoe
may simply involve exercise, physical therapy, and
better-fitting shoes. Treatment for hammertoes
typically involves controlling foot mechanics, such as
walking, through the use of customized orthotics.
For more serious cases in which the toes have
become inflexible and rigid, surgery may be
suggested. During the operation, the toe would
receive an incision to relieve pressure on the
tendons. A re-alignment of the tendons may then be
performed by removing small pieces of bone to
straighten the toe. In some cases, the insertion of
pins is needed to keep the bones in the proper
position as the toe heals. The patient is usually
allowed to return home on the same day as the
surgery.
If surgery is performed to repair a hammertoe,
following the postoperative directions of your
doctor is pertinent. Directions may include several
stretches, picking up marbles with your toes, or
attempting to crumple a towel placed flat against
your feet. Wear shoes that have low heels and a
wide amount of toe space to maintain comfort.
Closed shoes and high heels should be avoided.
Shoes with laces allow the wearer to adjust how
fitted her or she may want the shoes to be and also
allow for greater comfort. To provide adequate
space for your toes, select shoes that have a
minimum of one-half-inch of space between the tip
of your longest toe and the inside of the shoe. This
will also relieve pressure on your toes and prevent
future hammertoes from forming.Other
preventative measures that can be taken include
going shopping for new shoes in the middle of the
day. Your feet are its smallest in the morning and
swell as the day progresses; trying on and
purchasing new shoes midday will give you the most
reliable size. Be sure to check that the shoes you
purchase are both the same size. If possible, ask the
store to stretch out the shoes at its painful points to
allow for optimum comfort.
9645 Lincolnway Lane, Suite 104, Frankfort, IL 60423
(779)333-7419