Hammertoes happen when something puts pressure on your toes and pushes them out of place. Over time, muscles and tendons in your toes tighten, freezing your toes in an uncomfortable position. If you are suffering from hammertoes in New York, NY, Dr. Jennifer Fung-Schwartz can help.
Preventing Hammertoes
Preventing hammertoes starts with understanding their causes, which include:
- Having long toes- If your toes are naturally longer, they may not have enough room in standard shoe sizes. This can put extra pressure on them and cause hammertoes.
- Certain health conditions- Any condition that affects your feet and toes can cause hammertoes. People with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis may have an increased risk.
- Wearing poorly fitting shoes- Shoes that are too narrow (have a small toe box) or don’t have enough arch support can force your toes into unnatural positions. People who wear high heels and kids who keep wearing shoes they’ve outgrown may develop hammertoes.
- Having high arch feet or flat feet- Your foot’s natural shape may make you more likely to develop hammertoes.
- Bunions- Bunions can push your toes out of alignment and put extra pressure on them.
Hammertoes tend to get worse with time slowly and frequently flexible deformities become rigid. It is important to reach out to your doctor if you suspect a hammertoe is forming.
Treating Hammertoes in New York, NY
To prevent the formation of hammertoe, wear the right size shoe and avoid shoes that are too tight or too narrow. Shoes should be one-half inch longer than your longest toe. You may also be able to find a shoe with a deep toe box that accommodates the hammertoe.
If the joint is still flexible, there are several nonsurgical treatments to help reduce your symptoms.
- Orthotic insert- A custom orthotic device in your shoe may help control the muscle-tendon imbalance. Firm but soft orthotic inserts redistribute your body weight more evenly across the bones and joints of the foot. This helps remove excess stress from the toes and provides pain relief.
- Gel separators- Made of a flexible gel, they prevent hammertoes from curling further, as well as preventing them from rubbing up against your other toes or the inside of your shoe.
- Toe splints- Splints exert a straightening force on the muscles that bend your toe. This helps keep the muscles from tightening in the curled position which can make the condition worse.
- In difficult cases, surgical treatment is necessary to realign your toe and foot.
Contact Your Doctor
To find out more about hammertoes in New York, NY, and more about the causes, signs, and symptoms contact Dr. Fung-Schwartz. You can reach the office by calling (212) 678-2333 today.