Deformities of the foot are more common than you might think. One example is a bunion, a bony, sometimes painful protrusion of the big toe joint. Another is flat feet or fallen arches.
A different deformity of the toe that affects many is hammertoe, which is when one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes become bent. Once this trend starts, uncomfortable symptoms typically follow.
Dr. Biren Shah at Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates provides careful diagnosis and expert care for patients living with hammertoe. It’s essential to seek treatment if you notice this problem. Even though your toe or toes can remain flexible during the early stages of hammertoe, without proper care, they can become fixed. Then surgery is usually necessary.
As your partner in care, Dr. Shah provides education about hammertoe and helps you navigate the condition by designing a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Since you don’t want to let a hammertoe deformity go untreated for long, we want to share the five major indicators to watch for that may mean you’re impacted by hammertoe.
The bent toes that are hallmarks of hammertoe cause areas on your toes that wouldn’t usually come into contact with your shoes to rub and become irritated. The friction causes pain and discomfort. This can also lead to the development of corns and calluses that may emerge on your toes, between them, or even on the ball of your foot.
You may develop a burning sensation in any of the toes that are affected by hammertoe. Unfortunately, your skin can also look like it’s on fire, becoming quite red and inflamed.
Not only will hammertoe make your toe(s) stiff, but the condition can also cause the affected toe(s) to freeze and become permanently “locked” in the bent or curled position (contracture).
If your hammertoe is more serious, you can develop open sores, which aren’t only quite painful, but they can increase your risk of infection.
This is especially serious for people living with diabetes, because even the smallest break in skin can go unnoticed if the patient has neuropathy (nerve damage that causes numbness). This, combined with poor blood flow, can conspire to cause infection to develop quickly.
At this point, the risk of amputation becomes very real.
The stiff or locked toes, sores, other skin challenges, and burning that define hammertoe can make it difficult to walk and move around comfortably. Your gait (the way you walk) can also be negatively affected. These problems ultimately disrupt your everyday routines and lower your quality of life.
Hammertoe can sometimes be inherited or stem from a previous traumatic injury to your toe. However, they usually begin because of a tendon or muscle imbalance that causes your toe to bend. The imbalance may be traced to either the simple structure of your foot or a neurological issue.
Hammertoe is exacerbated when the foot is forced into ill-fitting, uncomfortable shoes — another reason to ensure you wear comfortable shoes that fit correctly and avoid impractical, unforgiving, and high-heeled shoes.
Hammertoe treatment is essential early on, as it is a progressive condition that can lead to locked toes. It’s also critical to know: Hammertoe won’t recede or resolve by itself.
Conservative treatments Dr. Shah may recommend for early-stage hammertoe include:
If your hammertoe is severe and advanced, surgery may be necessary. The good news? Dr. Shah can also correct other conditions, such as bunions, while addressing hammertoe.
If you’re living with hammertoe of any stage, we’re here to help at Midwest Foot & Ankle. Call our Elgin or Rockford office to make an appointment, or book a visit online.
