Hammertoe Treatment

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Medical center /Services /Foot and ancle /Hammertoe

The malfunction of hammer toes is mainly the result of flat feet, and may also be a consequence of diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus) or traumatic injuries. Isolated hammer toes is a rather rare situation, usually combined with other deformities of the forefoot (hallux valgus, Morton’s neuroma).

The pathogenesis of hammertoe is quite complex. Briefly, the basis of such issues with the foot is an imbalance of the capsular-ligamentous-tendon complex of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes.

Diagnostics of hammer toes is based on the consultation of an orthopedist (taking anamnesis, examination, recommendations for treatment). The procedure in Orlando will take no more than half an hour of your time.

Causes and Symptoms of Hammertoe

Hammer toes happen due to a malfunction of the flexor ligaments tension and a decrease in the mobility of the phalangeal joints. The following factors can provoke the development of pathology:

Uncomfortable footwear;
injuries;
arthritis;
diabetes;
inborn predisposition.

It was also found that toe women are susceptible to this pathology much more often than men. The deformity usually occurs in people aged 30 and over.

As a rule, the hammer toes are quite noticeable: the deformed toe is bent and resembles a hammer. Also, the malfunction is accompanied by:

aching in the foot;

corns and calluses;
puffiness, redness, burning;
inability to make the affected toe straight;
open ulcers.

It is often combined with other feet pathologies: transverse flat feet, valgus and varus deformities. Thus, hammertoe treatment cannot be postponed.

Treatment of Hammertoe

An orthopedic examination of the foot is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis in our Orlando center. To clarify the clinical picture of the disease and determine hammer toes treatment, an X-ray of the foot is performed from 3 projections.

The early stages of hammertoe are amenable to traditional treatment. It is mainly aimed at correcting the transverse flat feet. For this, insoles and orthopedic shoes are selected, massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy are prescribed.

In the later stages, conservative techniques have practically no effect, therefore, surgical intervention is recommended for hammertoe. If the joints can still be corrected, then a gentle treatment technique is used to eliminate the flexion reflex. During the treatment, the phalanx of the toe is removed with a dislocation. Then a plaster cast is applied to the foot.

A more radical surgical hammertoe treatment is aimed at the formation of the transverse arch of the foot. Duration of hammertoe surgery: 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Deformations of the foot greatly reduce the patient’s quality of life. But modern operational techniques and treatments used in the medical center “Touch of Health” can get rid of hammertoe quickly and efficiently. If you want to treat hammertoe, then sign for an appointment with our orthopedic surgeon. Our doctors are ready to help you any time.