Hammertoes are just what their name suggests -- a foot deformity that causes your foot to look like a hammer. This can be an unsightly and painful problem, especially as it worsens. Fortunately, our podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowski, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists, in Hampton, and Williamsburg, VA, can offer advice and treatments for this issue.
General Information
Imbalances in your ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your toe will cause hammertoes. These structures are responsible for holding your toe in the proper position. When they can't support it properly, you could develop this condition, where your toe bends and forms a hammer-like shape.
With hammertoes, the deformity is in the middle joint, unlike mallet toe, which affects the first joint. Most often, this issue will affect the second, third, or possibly fourth toes.
The most notable symptom of this condition is a visible toe deformity. However, this condition can also cause pain or affect movement in that joint. The friction from your toes rubbing together can lead to calluses or corns.
The shoes you wear and having trauma to that toe can cause this issue.
Diagnosing the Problem
A practitioner from our group can diagnose hammertoes by looking at the problem. However, your podiatrist may order X-rays to look at the internal structure of your foot.
Treating Hammertoes
When you visit either our Hampton or Williamsburg, VA, office, a practitioner will determine your treatment based on the severity of your condition. For instance, in the milder cases that are causing few symptoms, our practitioner may recommend lifestyle advice to manage your condition. This could consist of our podiatrist recommending better shoes that give your feet the room they need.
Our doctor can prescribe orthotics to support the area better and relieve your pain.
Exercise therapy on your foot can help strengthen the toe and help you preserve mobility in it. Your doctor will recommend exercises you can do at home, such as picking up marbles with the affected toe.
In some cases, these more conservative treatments aren't enough, particularly in the more severe instances. If this is what's happening in your case, the podiatrist will recommend surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon will free the tendon, allowing your toe to return to its proper position. Removing a small piece of your bone on that toe may be necessary so your toe returns to its proper position.
If you have hammertoes, a visit to either our Hampton or Williamsburg, VA, office can provide you with the relief you need from this painful foot problem. At Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists, Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowski, and Dr. Shruti Vyas can provide a variety of treatment options to help. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (757) 224-7605 for the office in Hampton, VA, and (757) 220-3311 for the office in Williamsburg, VA.