Treatment for Hammertoes in Laguna Hills, CA

What are Hammertoes and What Causes Them?

Hammertoes are toes that resemble a hammer, with the middle toe joint pointing outward. The middle toe joint can point outward due to an imbalance between ligaments and tendons. Hammertoes most commonly develop on the second, third, or fourth toes.

Risk Factors for Developing a Hammertoe

Your risk of developing a hammertoe increases if you wear shoes that are too narrow. Your toes become crushed together, causing your toes to stay in a bent position. High heels add to the problem by pushing toes forward. Women are at the greatest risk of developing hammertoes.

Prevention of Hammertoes

Wearing the right shoes can go a long way toward preventing hammertoes. Always wear shoes with a wide toe box, providing ample room for toes to move around.

What You Can Do for Mild Hammertoe Pain

If you have mild hammertoe pain, you can try a few simple steps to get relief. You should:

• Switch to more comfortable, wide shoes
• Stretch your toes individually to maintain flexibility
• Wear cushions or pads inside your shoes
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

How Your Podiatrist Can Treat Hammertoes

If you have moderate to severe discomfort associated with a hammertoe, you should seek out the expertise of your podiatrist. Your podiatrist will begin with a comprehensive examination of your feet and toes. You may also need imaging studies to determine the extent of bone involvement. To treat your hammertoes, your podiatrist may recommend:

• 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

Want To Know More About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment?

To discover more about the causes and treatment of hammertoes, call Dr. Neda Arjomandi and Dr. Jody Greenberg at Laguna Woods Podiatry Group in Laguna Hills, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (949) 581-2520, so call today.