Football season is here and with that comes an increased risk of sustaining trauma to your feet. Hammertoe is one of those traumas. Athletes are more susceptible to developing hammertoe than others because of the force they put on the toes while on the turf. Hammertoe treatments may involve conservative methods or more involved methods of toe surgery. Since every case is different, it’s best to get your problem looked at by a podiatrist.
A hammertoe develops over time. It usually looks like the toe is curled under, resembling a hammer or a mallet. Hammertoes can cause a lot of discomfort because of the inability to fit them into shoes. They may even lead to the development of corns or calluses.
Your shoes may be to blame in the first place. Hammertoes usually evolve as a result of your footwear. If your toes are too cramped in your shoes, they can begin to bend irregularly. Athletes can also develop this deformity due to the amount of force they put on their feet. Hammertoes may be either flexible or rigid. When they are considered flexible, it means they can still be manipulated into the correct position, but when they are rigid they can’t. Rigid hammertoes require more invasive means of treatment.
If your hammertoe is flexible you can usually treat it with conservative means. Usually this means a change of footwear so that your toes have room to lay flat. You may also try some stretching techniques for both the toes and the Achilles tendon. There are also splints and other devices that will help your toes lay in the correct position. If these methods don’t work, you may need to consider surgery. There are different surgical options available so it’s best to decide with a doctor what will be most beneficial to you. They can reposition the tendons, cut the tendons, or fuse them together with pins.
For more information regarding the treatment of hammertoes, call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
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