If you are concerned that you may have hammertoes, you can turn to the team of podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists in Williamsburg, and Hampton, VA for help dealing with the discomfort involved. Hammertoes are not just caused by one thing, and the more you know the better you can avoid issues.
Hammertoes are a deformity in the second, third, or fourth toe at the middle joint. The condition results from an imbalance in the muscles that puts pressure on the bones and tendons. When a toe stays in this position long enough it tightens up and becomes fixed. There are two types of hammertoes, flexible hammertoe and rigid hammertoe.
Causes of Hammertoes
The most common cause of hammertoes is shoes that are pointed and narrow and squeeze the toes and push them into a bent position. Women who wear high heels are especially vulnerable to hammertoes because of the position they force the toes into. Children who wear shoes that don't correctly, either have been outgrown or are hand-me-downs are also vulnerable. Once the toes are forced into the bent position, they rub on the top of the shoes which can cause corns and calluses to form on the joint which adds to the pain.
Traumatic injuries to the toes can also cause injury to the toe joints that result in hammertoe. Age can also be a cause of hammertoe and as you age, your muscles become tighter, less flexible, and shorter.
Arthritis is a potential cause of hammertoe. Conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to the formation of hammertoes. Diabetes can lead to complications from hammertoe which can cause infections from sores on the toes that won't heal.
Treatments for Hammertoe
The first thing to do is to change your footwear. You need to make sure that your toes have the room they require. Doing exercises can also help if the toes are still flexible, and you can use over-the-counter NSAIDs for the pain. Once the toe has become rigid, the only option is surgery for hammertoes.
For Hammertoes in Williamsburg, and Hampton, VA you can rely on Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists to provide the treatment that you need. Give our office today for an appointment at (757) 220-3311 in Williamsburg and (757) 224-7605 in Hampton, VA.