A hammertoe is characterized by an abnormal bending at the middle joint of the toe, resembling a hammer. With time, the toe may become more rigid, causing corns and bunions to develop.

1. Hammertoe Treatment
A hammertoe is characterizedby anabnormal bendingatthe middle jointof the toe,resemblinga
hammer.Withtime,the toe maybecome more rigid, causingcornsand bunionstodevelop.
Commoncausesof hammertoe include –
 geneticfactors
 injuries
 ill-fittingshoes
 imbalance inthe muscles,tendons,orligaments
To manage the discomfort resultingfromahammertoe,itisrecommendedthatyou wearshoes
witha widertoe box,andensure thatthe type of shoe isappropriate forthe specificactivity,for
example,runningshoesforrunning.NonsteroidalAnti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)are alsoan
option.
Hammertoescanbe extremelypainful. If the hammertoe painbecomestoosevere, yourpodiatrist
may advise surgery.In the surgery,the cornand a part of the knuckle,thatiscausingthe problem,
wouldbe removed.However,ahammertoe can returneven aftersurgery. Toavoidthiscondition
fromrecurring,do notwear narrow-toedorpointy shoes.If you suspectyouhave ahammertoe,
consulta podiatrist immediately.
Symptoms of Hammertoe
Hammertoesmaycause –
 Painful and/ordifficulttoe movement
 Swelling
 Jointstiffness
 Calluses and/orCorns
 Physical deformity
RiskFactors
The risk of hammertoe increaseswithage andthe conditionismore commoninwomenthanmen.
You are more likelytodevelophammertoe if yoursecondtoe islongerthanyourbigtoe.Diseases,
such as arthritisanddiabetes,mayincrease yourchancesof developingahammertoe.
TreatmentforHammertoes
If you have hammertoe,youshould wearcomfortable shoesthatprovidesenoughroomforyour
toes,like shoeswithawide toe box oropen-toedshoes.Exercises like pickingupmarbles withyour
toesmay helpin strengtheningandstretchingyourtoe muscles. Customshoeinsertsandorthotics
can reduce the painand preventworseningof the condition.Yourpodiatristmayrecommenda
cortisone injectiontorelieve yourpain.
However,if yoususpecthavingahammertoe,youmusttalkto an experiencedpodiatristinorderto
accuratelydiagnose the conditionand determinethe severity aswell asprovide the best treatment
optionforyou.
Hammertoe Surgery
Your podiatristmayrecommend outpatientsurgerytorepositionthe toe andremove deformedor
injuredbone.
Possible surgical procedures are –

2.  Arthroplasty –Removal of half of the jointunderthe crookedpartof the toe to straighten
the toe.
 Arthrodesis –Like arthroplasty butthe entire jointisremovedandawire or pinisinserted.
 Tendontransfer– Tendons,underthe toe,are re-routedtoabove the toe to straighten the
toe.
 Basal phalangectomy –the base of the bone underthe toe isremovedin individualswith
severe stiffness.
 Weil osteotomy –The metatarsal isshortenedandsurgical hardware isinsertedto promote
healing.
If you are lookingforthe bestpodiatristorfootdoctorin Phoenix andScottsdale,Arizona,call <a
href="https://www.oasisfootankle.com/"rel="dofollow">OasisFootandAnkle Clinic</a>at 602-
993-2700 Now.OasisFootand Ankle Centersoffercuttingedge surgical andnonsurgical treatments
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