I Think I Have Hammertoe; Will it Go Away? The danger of hammertoes.
If you’ve noticed swelling and pain on one of your middle toes and now you have calluses because your toe is bent and rubbing against your shoe, you could have a hammertoe. You should see a podiatrist like the professionals at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in the Bronx, New York. They are here to help you treat your feet.
Hammertoe is caused from a deformity in your second, third or fourth toe. Your toe becomes bent at the middle joint and looks like a hammer.
You can get hammertoe from poorly fitting shoes that don’t have enough room in the front for your toes. Your toes become bent and cramped. Another cause of hammertoe is an imbalance in your tendons and muscles, causing your toe to be fixed in a bad position. Your tendons and muscles can tighten to the point where your toe is unable to stretch out straight.
You can be at risk for hammertoe if you:
- Have diabetes or nerve damage in your feet
- Wear bad shoes
- Are older, and female
- Have an injury to your toe
- If your second toe is longer than your big toe
Untreated hammertoe can lead to your toe being permanently bent, in which case, surgery is often indicated. You can have nerve damage and be unable to wear most shoes.
The professionals at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society in the Bronx recommend a few at-home treatments you can do yourself, such as:
- Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen
- Exercising your toes by trying to pick things up off of the floor; you can also stretch out each of your toes with your fingers.
- Wearing callus or corn pads to cushion your toes
If home remedies don’t work, stop by and visit the professionals at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in the Bronx, New York. After a thorough evaluation, they may suggest corticosteroid injections, orthotics or splinting to relieve your hammertoe.
If you have a more advanced case of hammertoe, surgery may be indicated, but only the professionals at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in the Bronx will know for sure. So, if you are suffering the pain of hammertoe, call us today and get back on your feet!