5/20/2023 0 Comments Hammer toe surgery![]() A higher heel forces the foot down and squishes the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe. The toes rub against the shoe, leading to the formation of corns and calluses, which further aggravate the condition. Shoes that narrow toward the toe push the smaller toes into a flexed (bent) position. If the toe is bent and held in one position long enough, the muscles tighten and cannot stretch out. Muscles work in pairs to straighten and bend the toes. Hammertoe results from shoes that don't fit properly or a muscle imbalance, usually in combination with one or more other factors. The most common complaints are the middle joint of the hammertoe rubbing against the top of the shoe or the tip of the toe digging into the ground. They also may feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. ![]() Hammertoes typically start as a flexible deformity but if left untreated could potentially develop into a fixed/rigid deformity that may require more aggressive surgery to correct. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, so that it resembles a hammer. Recovery periods can vary depending on the procedure deformed.A hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe. Dr Amir will consider the extent of the deformity, the number of toes involved, patient age and activity level, and a few other factors to determine the best surgical approach. In many cases, patients who have other foot deformities can have them corrected during the same surgery. When the hammertoe has been left untreated or progresses more rapidly and increases pain, surgery will be required. Massage the area to alleviate pain and use ice packs if the pain is more severe.Wear only wide fitting shoes, avoid heels, and wear correct shoes for each activity.Options for non-surgical treatment include: It is important to note that left untreated, hammertoes become more rigid and do not respond well to non-surgical treatment. In the earliest stages, when hammertoes are most flexible, symptoms can be relieved with non-surgical treatments. These initial insights will be verified with X-ray imaging of the toes/feet. During the examination, Dr Amir can gather the cause and extent of the deformities. Symptoms include:ĭr Amir diagnosis hammertoe by first obtaining a thorough medical history of the patient, and then physically examining the feet. Hammertoe is fairly easy to spot and can cause frustrating symptoms for patients. For some patients, hammertoes are genetically inherited or due to early trauma to the toe. Hammertoe can also become irritated by improper footwear, where the toe is forced into a cramped position. First, patients experience structural foot changes over time, and then the imbalance develops. Muscle or tendon imbalance is the primary cause of hammertoe. ![]() Every case of hammertoe is different, meaning that some patients’ hammertoes worsen more quickly than others. Over time, if left untreated, the hammertoes can become increasingly inflexible. In the earliest stages, hammertoes are not quite as rigid and treatment options can alleviate the issue. Typically, hammertoes are mild deformities in the beginning and then progress to worse deformities over time. A hammertoe means that the joints of one or both of the toes (excluding the big toe) are abnormally bent.
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