Hammertoes get their name by looking like a hammer. But if you suffer from this issue, you know the struggles it can entail despite its innocent-sounding name. Fortunately, Cumberland Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists, serving Mechanicsburg, PA, and the nearby region, has multiple podiatrists who can help you alleviate the pain, prevent it from worsening, or correct the worst-case scenario.
Hammertoes Explained
A hammertoe is when you have one or more toes that have a bend in the middle toe joint. Typically, this issue affects the second, third, or fourth toe.
Usually, the cause is from wearing shoes with little room in the toe box, suffering from an injury, or having diabetes, though in some cases, it's not known what leads to it.
Women are more at risk of this concern than men, and your chances increase if you have arthritis. Genetics appears to play a role as well, meaning you're more likely to develop this problem if your parents, grandparents, etc. had it.
Symptoms
You may have soreness in general, but you may especially notice pain when you wear shoes that push your toes together. It may be difficult to move the toe. The affected toe may also appear red or swollen, and you could develop calluses or corns as it rubs against another toe or your shoe.
Treating Hammertoes
When you come into our office in Mechanicsburg, PA, to get treated for toe pain, a podiatrist will first determine if you have a hammertoe. This portion of the exam may include taking X-rays to evaluate the bone structure. A podiatrist will want to see your range of motion and will perform a palpation to feel for swelling.
Once we understand the extent of your condition, a podiatric specialist may provide you with at-home treatment recommendations to help you, such as changing your footwear and ensuring you purchase new shoes regularly to provide your feet with adequate support.
We can provide custom orthotics to provide the necessary support. We may also sand calluses and suggest corn pads to ease any discomfort from complications. Exercises like picking up marbles in your toes are helpful as well, and we can guide you through those.
In the worst-case scenario, you could need surgery to repair a hammertoe. Particularly, this is when the toe is no longer able to move because the soft tissue has tightened.
Cumberland Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists, serving Mechanicsburg, PA, and the neighboring communities, are here if you develop hammertoes. Through lifestyle recommendations and other conservative measures, we can often treat hammertoes, and we provide surgery when needed.
Call 717-761-3161 for an appointment.