If you have a chronic medical condition, like diabetes or arthritis, you’re also more likely to experience a hammertoe. Though painful, with intervention and treatment, it’s possible to prevent the hammertoe from getting worse. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and podiatrist and foot surgeon Stephen Tentler, DPM, and the team, specialize in treating hammertoes. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood or Martinsville, Indiana, or book online today.
A hammertoe occurs when one of your toes remains bent in a C-shape. Hammertoes form when there’s an imbalance with the soft tissues that hold your toe straight.
If you have a hammertoe, don’t wait to make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you are to need surgery.
The most obvious symptom of a hammertoe is an abnormal bend in one of your middle toe joints. As the condition gets worse, you might find it hard to straighten or put weight on the affected toe. You might also experience corns or calluses on the top of the toe where your skin rubs against your socks or shoes.
Several factors may increase your risk of a hammertoe, including:
You’re also more likely to experience a hammertoe if you’ve stubbed or broken your toe in the past.
The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses a hammertoe during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started and if they’re worse when you wear certain types of shoes. Next, they examine your toe, looking for redness, bruising, or swelling. Your provider carefully moves your toe from side to side and assesses its overall flexibility.
Next, your provider orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures capture images of your hard and soft tissues.
Treatment of a hammertoe depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your mobility. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
If conservative treatments don’t provide lasting relief, your provider might recommend surgery. During hammertoe surgery, your Greenwood Foot Clinic provider uses special tools to release the tendon that’s keeping your toe bent.
To receive treatment for a hammertoe, make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic by calling the nearest office or booking online today.