Let Our Team of Idaho Podiatrists Help You Find Relief From Hammer Toe Pain

Causes of Hammer Toe

A hammer toe develops when the muscles in the toes are out of balance. Increased stresses on the toe's tendons and joints result from this aberrant balance, causing the contracture. Women are more likely than men to have hammer toes. This is often because of the shoes they wear. Narrow, high-heeled shoes force the toes into a bent position.

Other possible causes include the following:

Age.

Older people are more likely to develop hammer toe because the muscles and tendons in the foot weaken with age.

Heredity.

If you have family members who have struggled with hammer toe, you may be more prone to developing the same condition.

Trauma to the toe.

An injury to the toe, such as from a fall or dropping a heavy object on the foot, can lead to hammer toe.

Arthritis.

People who have arthritis often have deformities in many joints of the body, including the toes.

Nerve disorders.

Any condition that results in nerve damage in the feet can lead to hammer toe. This includes diabetes and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which is an inherited disorder that results in nerve damage.

Symptoms of Hammer Toes

The symptoms of a hammer toe will become more noticeable over time. Common symptoms of a hammer toe include:

Pain at the top of the bent toe with pressure from shoes.

The affected toe rubs against the inside of your shoe, causing pain.

Corn at the top of the joint.

A corn is a buildup of skin tissue at the point where the toe rubs against your shoe.

Callus at the top of the joint.

A callus is a buildup of skin tissue on the foot.

Redness, inflammation, or a burning sensation.

Your discomfort is likely to increase over time since hammer toes tend to get progressively worse without treatment.

Restricted or painful motion.

If the pain gets bad enough, you may find it difficult to walk or complete daily activities.

Hammer Toe Treatment

The treatment options vary with the type and severity of each hammer toe, although identifying the deformity early in its development is important to avoid complications. Your podiatrist will examine and X-ray the affected area and recommend a treatment plan specific to your condition.

Possible treatments for hammer toe include:

Changing to shoes that fit properly and do not crowd or compress the toes.

This is the most important first step you can take to treat hammer toe.

Exercises.

These may be prescribed to stretch and strengthen your toe muscles.

Padding and taping the hammer toe.

This can help to relieve pain and protect the toe from further irritation.

Splinting the toe.

Splinting can help to keep the toe straight and to stretch the muscles and tendons.

Steroid injections.

Your podiatrist may recommend steroid injections in the toe joint to ease pain and inflammation.

Reviewing your foot care habits.

Your podiatrist can help you to eliminate factors that may be causing your hammer toe pain.

Surgery.

Undergoing surgery to release the tendon and correct the joint deformity may be recommended if more conservative treatments haven't provided the desired relief.

Are You Suffering From Hammer Toe In The Caldwell Or Meridian, Idaho Area?

If you're suffering from hammer toe you owe it to yourself to speak with our experienced podiatrists as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 208.855.5955 to schedule your appointment. We service all areas surrounding Meridian, Idaho as well as all areas in the Caldwell, Idaho area. We look forward to helping you!