Treatments That May Help Your Hammertoe Move Back Into Position
Posted on: 17 July 2017
Hammertoe is a condition where one of your toes is bent. It is caused by muscle, tendon, or ligament problems that prevent your toe from resting in a flat position. Sometimes, this problem is caused by wearing shoes that have tight toes. One of your toes may be forced into a bent position to fit in the shoes and if you wear the shoes repeatedly, the problem may become permanent due to tightening of your tendon. Here are some treatments a podiatrist may suggest.
Wear Wider Shoes
If your toe is still flexible and can be forced into a straight position, it may be possible to coax it back into a normal shape. This starts with wearing shoes with a wide toe area so your toes have plenty of room and are not squeezed together. However, you don't want to resort to wearing flat flip flop type shoes all the time or you may develop problems in other areas of your feet. Instead, choose shoes with low heels and arch supports.
Get Fitted For Shoe Inserts
Your podiatrist can make custom inserts if necessary or recommend a type you can buy at a drug store to help your hammertoe. These offer support and cushioning so you can walk with less pain. The inserts also help reposition your toe so it is slowly moved back into its natural alignment.
Undergo Surgery
If your hammertoe has become permanent and it is no longer flexible, then surgery might be the only solution. Hammertoe surgery involves cutting the tight tendon to the toe in order to release it. This allows the toe to straighten back out. In addition, it might be necessary to remove or adjust the bone in the joint if your joint is rotated. Pins are placed in your toe to hold it straight while it heals. You might not be able to bend your toe after the procedure depending on the surgery you have done.
It may take several weeks to heal from hammertoe surgery. You'll probably wear a walking boot and you may need to use crutches or a knee walker while you're recovering.
Since hammertoe and other foot ailments are often caused by wearing the wrong type of shoes for prolonged periods of time, be sure to use care when buying footwear and buy new ones when your shoes show signs of wear. Your feet need support to keep them healthy and in good shape. The best benefit is the right kind of shoes could keep you from suffering with chronic foot pain. Also, see your podiatrist when you have foot pain rather than just tolerate it. Early treatment could save you from the pain of surgery and a long recovery period afterward. Visit a site like http://www.advancedfootclinic.org for more help.
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