Hammertoes Treatment - Vancouver, BC
A hammertoe gets its name from the hammer-like look caused by a joint stuck in an upward position. Hammertoes often cause great discomfort, particularly when walking or putting pressure on the foot.
The good news is that hammertoes are a relatively common condition, and Dr. Joseph Stern has been helping patients in Vancouver overcome this issue for more than 30 years.
What is a Hammertoe?
Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) deformity of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toes over time. Often, the deformity and pain start out small and progressively get worse until the toe can no longer move. Usually, hammertoes develop on the four lesser toes. When the muscles in a foot or leg become weak, the tendon naturally pulls up on the toes, leading to deformity.
Over time, hammertoes get more rigid to the point where only surgery can correct them. It is imperative that if you believe you have a hammertoe forming, you seek treatment sooner than later.
What Causes Hammertoe?
The cause of hammertoes can vary. Some people develop hammertoe due to leg muscles becoming weak and pulling the tendons in the foot. When this happens, the toes curl into unnatural positions. The imbalance then leads to either structural issues or neurological issues to avoid pain—leading to further damage of the toe.
Heavy wear and tear on the feet can cause hammertoe. Another cause is wearing shoes that are too tight in the forefoot or that place the toes at awkward, cramped angles.
Early foot trauma and genetics are other possible causes for this foot problem. While not as common, the predilection to develop hammertoes from our parents can be equally severe and worsen progressively if left untreated.
What are the Symptoms of Hammertoes?
Symptoms include:
Rigid toe joints
Pain around the tip of the toe
Pain in the balls of the feet
Calluses on the top of the foot
Inflammation, burning, and redness
Restricted motion
Joint swelling
Wounds/sores
These are the most common symptoms associated with hammertoe. The severity of each of the symptoms varies depending on the case. Wounds, for instance, are very uncommon in healthy people and only develop if neglected for an extended period of time.
Hammertoe Diagnosis
While hammertoes are typically easily visible, a podiatrist will go through all of the procedural processes to accurately diagnose the severity of it. During your visit with a foot and ankle specialist, the doctor will usually attempt to maneuver your foot to recreate the symptoms. X-rays are often used as a tool to assess the degree of the observed deformities.
Hammertoes are universally progressive ailments, which means the condition continues to worsen if untreated and does not correct itself. There is no set standard for the speed at which they get worse. Your physician will be able to hone in on the exact causes and areas of damage to develop a treatment specific to your foot.
Non-Surgical Treatments
More often than not, doctors can treat hammertoes without resorting to invasive surgeries. A variety of options are available to patients, including:
Padding calluses and corns: Foot and ankle specialists often prescribe foot pads to shield the injured spots from irritation. When opting for padding, be sure to consult your podiatrist first. Buying pads over-the-counter is an option, but be careful to stay clear of any medicated pads. Medicated pads generally have acid in them that can further irritate the injury.
New shoes: Certain shoes can exacerbate pain and accelerate the growth of hammertoes. Avoid shoes that are too small or have pointed tips and high heels to give your feet the room they need to relax in a natural position. Dr. Stern recommends comfortable shoes with a roomy toe box to help ease the pain.
Orthotic devices: A custom orthotic device can assist in fixing the tendon and muscle imbalance that furthers hammertoe issues. Controlling foot functions ease the speed of irritation.
Medication: Prescriptions and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories ease the swelling and reduce the pain, making hammertoes more manageable to live with day to day.
Splints: Occasionally, podiatrists will install toe splints to correct the bend in the toe and restore the foot’s normal shape.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery may be the only option when the toe becomes too rigid to move and the non-surgical options prove to be ineffective. Hammertoe surgery is often an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic. Your podiatrist will determine which surgery is right for you, which may involve general anesthesia.
Common surgeries to correct hammertoes include the following- tendon lengthening, tendon transferring, and joint fusion.
Tendon Lengthening
When the patient has a flexible toe joint, surgeons can lengthen the tendon to treat the imbalance and restore a normal toe position, relieving the pressure of the hammertoes.
Tendon Transferring
In treating patients with flexible tendons and joints, transferring the tendon from the bottom to the top of the toe can help with straightening out the toe.
Joint Fusion
Often used alongside tendon lengthening, joint fusion helps patients with rigid toes who are not responding to other treatments. This procedure relieves the pressure on the tendon by shortening the toe bone. The surgeon removes part of the toe bone and places a pin to help the toe maintain position while the bones heal and fuse together.
Based on the severity combined with age, health, and activity levels, recovery from hammertoe surgery can vary greatly in length.
FAQs
How does a hammertoe get worse?
Hammertoes worsen and become more painful if neglected over time. Not tending to a hammertoe by getting more appropriate shoes and trying to alleviate the pressure will only lead to worse symptoms in the future.
What is the typical recovery time for hammertoe surgery?
After surgery to treat a hammertoe, recovery usually lasts six to eight weeks. After this period, swelling typically goes down, and daily functions get easier.
Can you prevent hammertoes?
While you can never guarantee a hammertoe will not form, you can take precautions to help yourself in the long run. Wearing comfortable shoes and exercising go a long way in keeping your joints and tendons in good shape to fend off hammertoes in the future.
Will my hammertoe just go away?
No. Unlike many other ailments, hammertoes will not just disappear after time. Treatment is needed to stop them from getting progressively worse over time.
When should I contact a podiatrist?
Contact a podiatrist as soon as you notice hammertoe symptoms. Because of the progressive nature of hammertoes, if you feel that you are starting to develop one, contact a foot and ankle specialist to diagnose the issue.
Dr. Stern Will Help You Get Back on Your Feet
Foot issues can affect every facet of life, and it is essential to get them taken care of as soon as they arise. Hammertoes will only worsen over time and will not begin to heal without the proper treatment.
Luckily, Dr. Joseph Stern has the skills and 30 years of experience helping patients in Vancouver eliminate the pain associated with hammertoes. Dr. Stern and his staff offer a broad range of advanced orthopedic and non-surgical treatment options for hammertoes.
If you’re ready to better understand your treatment options and say goodbye to your painful hammertoes, schedule an appointment today.
