Hammertoe

Hammertoe services offered in Glendale and Astoria, NY

Hammertoe usually happens to the second, third, or fourth toe. You’ll notice one or more of these toes is bent in the middle, resembling a mini hammer, causing stiffness and pain. The team of experienced podiatrists at New York Podiatry Group can help in the early and more advanced stages of hammertoe to restore a normal look and feel to your feet. Call the Glendale or Astoria, Queens location, or use the online tool to book an appointment to have your hammertoes evaluated.

Hammertoes Q & A

What causes hammertoes?

Hammertoes result from an imbalance in the muscles and ligaments that support your toes. All of your toes (apart from the big toe) have three joints. When hammertoe happens, it causes an abnormal bend in the middle joint.

The permanently curled or bent position can happen because of poorly fitted shoes, especially high heels or pointy-toed styles, traumatic injury, or genetic conditions that affect your foot or feet.

Women are susceptible to developing hammertoe because they tend to wear tighter, pointier, and higher-heeled shoe styles as compared to men.

How do I know I have a hammertoe?

Usually, hammertoe affects one or more of your middle three toes, but any toe can develop the curled position.

Hammertoe stiffens your toe joint and can make it hard to walk. You may find it impossible to flex your toes or move them easily. The curled toes may rub against each other or against your shoes, causing painful calluses and corns.

How is hammertoe treated?

In the early stages of hammertoe, conservative treatments can restore mobility and comfort. As your condition progresses and the toe or toes become immobile, more direct treatments -- including surgery -- may be your best option for treatment.

The team at New York Podiatry Group may recommend conservative interventions in the early stages of hammertoe. The following can reduce pain, improve function, and prevent complications:

Protective padding for corns and calluses caused by hammertoe
Anti-inflammatory medications for irritation
Specialized splints and custom orthotics to realign the muscles and ligaments
Steroid injections to relieve inflammation and pain
Physical therapy exercises to restore mobility
Steroid injections to help relieve inflammation and pain associated with hammertoe

Surgery may be required if you have chronic open sores, extreme rigidity, and pain as a result of hammertoes. Recovery from surgery may take up to six weeks. The team at New York Podiatry will tell you how to modify activity and manage during healing.

If you have hammertoe and other problems with your feet, like bunions, that require surgery -- the procedures may be combined.

Call New York Podiatry Group, or use the online tool to schedule an appointment and get help for your bunions.