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Hammertoes have a surprising way of impacting your overall foot and ankle health! They happen when the initial toe bends in an irritating manner at the joint. This condition can get more serious if left untreated. Our podiatrist, Dr. Joel S. Segalman, at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, treats a variety of foot and ankle health conditions including hammertoes. Visit Dr. Segalman at our Waterbury & Newtown, Connecticut locations. Dr. Segalman previously worked with the New York Kicks and currently works with a professional soccer team.
Hammertoes affect women in larger numbers and are irregularities of the toe, bending in the center of the joint. This unfortunate fact is because women wear shoes that cause the toe to bend in an unnatural way, all in the name of style. Also, an irregular composure of muscles in the toes can cause this condition because ligaments and tendons stiffen, allowing for the joints to collapse and thereby causing the toe to point skyward. As you can imagine, when the toe is in this position, it will rub against the top of the shoe and cause inflammation.
Surgery will be helpful if the condition becomes serious due to a lack of preventative measures. Removal of part of the joint, redirecting the tendon or cutting the bone may all be used as surgical procedures. However, exercises may help prevent the need for surgery. In particular, stretching your toes has a beneficial effect by relaxing the tendons. You can also straighten and pull your toes to work out the tendons. Reaching for and grabbing items with your toes is another easy way of making sure the tendons stay strong enough to avoid hammertoes from forming.
If you have Hammertoes, please contact our office for an appointment as soon as possible. We will determine the best course of treatment specifically tailored for your wonderful feet!