Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists is here for you if you’re struggling with hammertoes in Williamsburg, and Hampton, VA. Hammertoes can be painful and keep you off your feet, but with treatment, you can start feeling better and resume your normal activities. Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas can help you if you are suffering from hammertoes.
What Are Hammertoes?
Hammertoes are a deformity that happens to the second, third, or fourth toes. The middle joint bends, making the toe look like a little hammer. The joint becomes stiff and it's usually painful and can even make certain footwear impossible to wear because of the position of the toe and the pain.
What Causes Hammertoes?
A hammertoe is caused by an imbalance in the ligament or tendon in the toe from the shoes being shoved together. This typically happens because of wearing shoes that are tight in the toe area or high-heeled shoes that shove the toes together. Because of this, they are more common in women, but anyone can get a hammertoe from having an imbalance in the joint.
Treating Hammertoes
If you feel discomfort or stiffness in your toe and it looks like a hammertoe might be forming, your podiatrist will likely recommend:
- Switching to more comfortable, wide shoes
- Stretching your toes individually to maintain flexibility
- Wearing cushions or pads inside your shoes
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
If you already have a serious hammertoe and are having pain and stiffness, come see one of our podiatrists. There are several treatments your podiatrist could recommend, including:
- Toe splints to help realign your toe
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
- Surgery to realign your toe and foot
The dedicated podiatrists of Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists are here for you if you’re struggling with hammertoes in Williamsburg, or Hampton, VA. Contact us for an appointment with one of our podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas. Reach us at our Hampton office at (757) 224-7605 or our Williamsburg location at (757) 220-3311.