What is Hammertoes? What are the Prevention, Symptoms, and Causes of Hammertoes?

“Hammertoes” is a term used to describe the progressive signs and joint problems that affect the one or more toes. A hammertoe joint is one on your toe which points upwards rather than lying flat. The reason for this is that the muscles within your leg or foot become weaker and the tendons that connect your toe pull out in an abnormal way. You may notice you have a callus or corn on the top of your toe that is deformed, and could be painful. In the end, you might be unable to move your affected toe.

What is the Difference Between Mallettoes and Clawtoes?

Your feet are each made up of 28 bones. Of your five toes your first (or “big” toe (also known as the “big” one) includes two joints which are the metatarsophalangeal and the interphalangeal joints. The remaining four have three joints. At the bottom of your toe, there is the metatarsophalangeal joints (the the first joint) and in between is the interphalangeal proximal joint (the second joint) and the closest to the toenail’s tip is the distal the phalangeal joint (the 3rd joint).

Hammertoes can sometimes be confused in conjunction with mallettoes as well as clawtoes. There are some differences between the two:

• Clawtoes: Bend occurs located in the first and second joint.
• Hammertoes: This bend occurs at the 2nd (or middle) toe joint.
• Toes of Mallet: This bend occurs located in the third joint of the toe.

What are the Different kinds of Hammertoes?

There are three kinds of Hammertoes.

• Flexible Hammertoes A hammertoe that is flexible is in the process of developing, therefore the affected toes are capable of moving at the joint.
• Semi-rigid The hammertoe’s hammer is beginning to stiffen.
• Hammertoes with rigid tendons A hammertoe that is rigid cannot move anymore because the soft tissues and tendons have become tighter.

Who’s likely to be Afflicted With Toes that Hammer?

People who wear high heels or unsupportive footwear are more likely to develop the hammertoe.

Do Hammertoes Hurt?

The joint you are trying to move could cause pain, and you might feel discomfort in the ball of your foot. Calluses and corns may also cause discomfort.

Are Hammertoes Similar to the Same Thing as Bunions?

No. The term bunion is an enlargement of the outside of your big toe. Read more about Bunion Surgery in perth

Can Hammertoes Cause Numbness?

No. There isn’t any direct connection.

What is the Cause of Toes that Hammer?

An imbalance in the balance of your toe may result in an increase in pressure on the joint and tendon. This can cause an injury called hammertoe. The causes of this imbalance are:

• Geniuses Your foot’s type that you are born with could cause the development of this kind of deformity in joints. Flexible feet that are flat can cause hammertoes when the foot is trying to maintain its position against an arch that is flattening. Arches with high arch heights can create hammertoes when the extensor tendon muscles take over the muscles.
• Shoes that are not comfortable: Too-narrow, ill-fitting shoes, like high heels, offer the least amount of arch support. They put a lot of pressure on the toes as well as their joints. This is why more cases of hammertoes have been seen in women than in males.
• The neuromuscular condition The neuromuscular disease can be a contributing factor to the formation of the Hammertoe. Patients who suffer from diabetes may be at greater chance of suffering from complications. In these cases, a toe that is covered in the appearance of a corn or any other ulcer signifies that there’s excessive pressure on the toes. If you suffer from diabetes and suffer from low blood flow or neuropathy ulcers and corns that are infected could lead to losing a foot or toe if their footwear isn’t modified.
• Trauma A few times, a trauma to your foot can cause the development of a Hammertoe.

What are the Signs of the Hammertoes?

Signs of hammertoe may include:

• An instep joint is becoming rigid.
• It is typically on the top the bent of your toe.
• Ailment in the foot’s ball.
• Calluses and corns on the high point the joint.
• The redness, inflammation or burning sensation.
• The motion is painful or restricted to your joint of the foot.
• Your joint is swelling.
• Sores that are open (rare).

What are the Causes of Hammertoes being more Painful?

The condition of your feet can become worse over time, particularly when shoes aren’t supportive and tightness of the tendon.

How can Hammertoes be Diagnosed?

Your usual healthcare provider might be able to tell if you have a hammertoe from the start. The doctor may refer you to an orthopedic Foot surgeon, or a specialist in foot and ankle surgery to determine the exact diagnosis. The doctor will conduct physical exams, including the movement of your feet and toes in order to observe how your joints respond. Toes could require an X-ray.

If you suffer from diabetes, you may need to undergo tests to determine if there’s an underlying neurological issue that causes a tendon imbalance.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

What are the Treatment Options for Hammertoes? What are the Methods to Correct Them?

Treatments for hammertoes comprise the following:

• Operation: Your healthcare provider might recommend surgery if the discomfort is intense or if your hammertoe interferes with your day-to-day activities, and/or other treatments aren’t helping. The surgeon might remove the bony prominence from your toe, and then align the joint. They can also use a pin made of steel to adjust your toe’s posture.
• Custom-designed orthotic devices/shoe inserts: These can control the way that your foot works.
• Relief from pain: You can take anti-inflammatory medication or receiving Cortisone injections to ease discomfort.
• Taping your toes This can alter your muscle balance.
• Insulate padding The padding around your toe of the hammer can reduce the pressure.

What are the Potential Risks Associated with Treatment?

Surgery is a risky procedure.

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Nerve injury.
• Stiffness.

Is the Procedure Either Inpatient or Outpatient?

Outpatient. There is no need to stay inside the hospital.

How long Will it Take to Heal from Surgery?

There may be a feeling of stiffness or feel redness and swelling for up to six weeks.

What Should I do as I Heal From Surgery for the Hammertoes?

Avoid using your toes often as they are healing. Maintain your foot on a level surface.

PREVENTION

How Can Hammertoes be Avoided? How can I Lower my Risk?

• Wear shoes that are sensible: If you don’t wish to undergo surgery to correct your hammertoes, you can try non-medicated padding and shoes with a larger and more pronounced toebox to fit the foot’s contour. Shoes that provide arch support will slow the progress of the condition.
• Use a pumice rock: The corn or callus that grows on top of your hammertoe may cause discomfort when wearing shoes. Utilize a pumice or file stone following a bath to shrink the corn callus’s size. After that, apply emollients to ensure that the surface remains soft flexible. Apply moleskin or silicone padding over the area when you wear shoes.
• Exercise your feet:Your podiatrist can suggest exercises for your toes in order to keep them flexible and to strengthen the muscles which move them. Extending, curling the toes, stretching the toes and moving your toes separately can help prevent contractures which causes hammertoe.

Ask your doctor to suggest a podiatrist (a specialist in feet) when you begin to feel or notice any discomfort.

OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS

How Will Hammertoes Affect my Walking? Running?

They may. The deformed joint as well as the calluses or corns could cause pain that limits your ability to perform your daily activities.

What is the Duration of my Toes with Hammertoes? Do they Last Forever?

Hammertoes may get more and more painful without treatment , and without treatment, they’ll always be present.

Do Hammertoes go Away?

Hammertoes are not a simple matter that fades out without treatment. Contact your physician immediately if you begin to start to feel the symptoms.

LIVING WITH

How can I Keep my Feet? Are there Home Remedies Available?

While nothing can replace the experience of a podiatrist. However, you might want to try these suggestions to ease discomfort:

• The pressure can be reduced to the area with the help of an unmedicated, commercial pads for hammertoe.
• Wear shoes that have a large toebox.
• Do not wear heels that are more than 2 inches.
• Apply an ice pack in the event that there’s swelling.
• Wear loose-fitting shoes.

What’s it like to live with the hammertoes?

Hammertoe sufferers have difficulty running and walking. They experience painful calluses and corns on their toes that are deformed.

How do I maintain my foot health?

Make sure your feet are in good condition wear shoes half-inch wider than the longest toe. Avoid tight and narrow shoes and particularly high-heeled footwear.

When should I go to see my physician?

Consult your doctor immediately if you begin to notice symptoms of hammertoes.

Which questions can I be asking my doctor?

• Is this joint defect a clawtoe, hammertoe, or mallettoe?
• What kind of hammertoe do I own?
• What could have caused my toe hammertoe?
• What type of treatment do I require?
• Are there any treatments at-home I could attempt?
• Do you have any suggestions for shoes? Or, are there any shoes I shouldn’t wear?

A note from the Foot Surgery Centre in Perth Clinic

Don’t let your feet go unnoticed! Make sure you take proper care of your feet. Contact your physician immediately If you notice any signs of hammertoes, such as an in-between joint that is becoming stiff or painful at high-point of bent toe discomfort in the area of your foot’s ball calluses or corns at toes that are bent inflammation or redness, or a pain in the toe area, swelling or pain or restricted movement.

The condition can become worse and you’ll most likely require treatment, so don’t be afraid for treatment of a Hammertoe in Perth.