If you wear ill-fitting shoes or experience foot-related trauma, you’re also more likely to experience a hammertoe. At Total Family Foot Care, Terry Wright, DPM, and Jacquelyn Perry, DPM, offer comprehensive care for hammertoes. Using safe, effective treatments, they can reduce your symptoms and help you feel better. To make an appointment at the practice in Fort Worth or Arlington, Texas, call the nearest office or click the online booking feature today.
request an appointmentWhat are hammertoes?
A hammertoe is an abnormality that causes one of your middle toes to stay bent in a curved position. It occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments responsible for holding your toe straight.
Most hammertoes respond to conservative treatments, like wearing more comfortable shoes or inserts. If your symptoms persist or get worse, don’t wait to contact Total Family Foot Care.
What are the symptoms of hammertoes?
Symptoms of hammertoes include:
- One or more toes with an abnormal bend
- Toe pain
- Difficulty moving the toe
- Blisters, corns, or calluses
As the hammertoe gets worse, you might also find it difficult to straighten your toe or put weight on the affected toe.
What causes hammertoes?
Experts aren’t entirely sure why hammertoes form, but it’s thought that several factors may contribute, including the type of shoes you wear, your genetics, and if you have a history of foot trauma. For example, if you stub, jam, or break a toe, it’s more likely to stay bent in a curved position.
Who is at risk of hammertoes?
Anyone can experience hammertoes, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
- Being middle-aged or older
- Being a woman
- Having an abnormally long second toe
- Having an underlying medical condition like diabetes or arthritis
Without early intervention and treatment, hammertoes can affect your mobility by remaining permanently bent.
How are hammertoes diagnosed?
At Total Family Foot Care, Dr. Wright and Dr. Perry diagnose hammertoes by asking about your symptoms and examining your toes. Depending on the severity of the bend, they might also order X-rays to assess the bones and joints in your foot.
How are hammertoes treated?
Treatment of hammertoes depends on several factors, including your age, the severity of your symptoms, and their effect on your daily life. Usually, Total Family Foot Care recommends conservative treatments like wearing more comfortable shoes or custom orthotics.
Dr. Wright and Dr. Perry might also recommend at-home exercises that can strengthen your toe muscles and enhance their flexibility.
If holistic treatments aren’t enough to provide significant relief, the team might recommend surgery. Surgery for hammertoes involves the team using special tools to release the tendon that prevents your toe from lying flat.
To receive treatment for hammertoes, make an appointment at Total Family Foot Care by calling the nearest office or clicking the online scheduling feature today.