Heal Your Hammertoe Before You Lose Mobility
A hammertoe is a deformity of the foot that occurs most often in the second, third, and fourth toes on your foot. If you can still move your toes quickly, you may be able to avoid surgery. The hammertoe causes your toes to bend to the side. It occurs from the middle joint. It causes your toe to look like a small hammer, hence the name.
There are a plethora of different reasons why this deformity can occur, but muscle weakness and improper footwear are at the top of that list. In addition to these problems, age and toe length play a part as well.
Treating Your Hammertoe Before It’s Too Late
Left untreated, a hammertoe may cause corns, calluses, and issues for your remaining toes. It can also generate an instability in your walking and ankles. However, there are ways a podiatrist can heal your foot, including the following methods.
Medication-this will relieve the pain in your foot by treating the inflammation as well as the ache. Inflammation can cause swelling, and when you have toes that cannot sit right, you will experience an increase in pressure.
Proper footwear- a foot doctor will advise you on the appropriate footwear to wear. In specific cases, they will recommend you obtain custom orthotics. Because they are specialized for your foot, they will alleviate the pain.
Regulator-a podiatrist will also recommend a brace or regulator for your toes. This tool will guide your toes in the proper position and attempt to help the mobility.
If your podiatrist has seen these methods won't work for your feet, surgery may be necessary. If that is the situation for you, they may need to remove pieces of bone from your foot, among other options.
Don’t wait until you lose mobility. Treat your hammertoe and have the freedom to walk without pain. At James C. Ricketti D.P.M, located at Hamilton Square, NJ, you have a podiatrist who can treat deformities, sprains, bunions, and diabetic foot problems. With years of experience, you have a podiatrist that will help you heal. Call us today at (609) 587-1674 for an appointment.