If you have misshapen toes and are experiencing pain and pressure, you may have hammertoes, a deformity of the toe in which the joints bend abnormally. If left untreated, hammertoes can become increasingly uncomfortable, especially when wearing shoes.
If hammertoes are making standing, walking, and even sitting painful, the podiatrists at Prairie Foot and Ankle in Elgin can have you feeling better and walking easy.
What can cause hammertoes?
Hammertoes are generally caused by a tendon or muscle imbalance that causes the toe to bend out. The irregular formation can cause the toe to experience pressure and pain as it rubs against your shoes, becoming increasingly irritated and painful over time. You may experience the growth of corns or calluses, sores, inflammation, or redness.
Other causes of hammertoes include wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially those that are too tight, too narrow, or high heeled, which cramps the toes. Hammertoes can also be hereditary.
How can my podiatrist fix my hammertoes?
Your podiatrist at our Elgin office will first examine your toes, ask you about your pain symptoms and levels, and possibly take an x-ray to identify the severity of your hammertoes.
If your hammertoes are in the early stages or not severe, your podiatrist may recommend non-surgical treatments. Changing your shoes to properly fitting, low heeled versions with roomy toe boxes are important for alleviating discomfort and further issues. You may also benefit from using custom shoe inserts or using padding on any corns or calluses that are becoming irritated.
Further treatments include injecting corticosteroid to relieve pain and inflammation, or the use of oral anti-inflammatory medications.
Extensive cases of hammertoes, particularly when the condition is causing extreme pain or the development of sores, may require surgery at our Elgin office. Your podiatrist will cut the tendons and ligaments to straighten your toe, and possibly shave off a portion of the bone. Temporary pins may be used to keep the toe in place as it heals.
Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist at our Elgin office today by calling 224-227-6973.