How to Handle Hammertoes

If you have hammertoes that won’t improve with padding, orthotics, taping, and other non-invasive treatments, you may need to consider surgery. Luckily, Dr. Elhiani and his team at Eazy Foot & Ankle offer several minimally invasive surgical procedures that provide quick relief from hammertoes pico robertson, beverly hills.

An overview of hammertoes

Hammertoe is a structural condition in which the middle joint of your toe points upward instead of lying flat, resembling a hammer. This deformity usually occurs when your leg or foot muscles weaken, and the tendons in the affected toe pull abnormally. Hammertoes often occur simultaneously with callus or corn, which can be excruciating. If not treated, you may eventually lose motion in your toe. There are two forms of hammertoes: flexible hammertoes, which allow you to move your and rigid hammertoes which prevent movement in the affected toe. With flexible hammertoes, you can recover with several minimally invasive treatments, but with rigid hammertoes, you may need surgery to correct the deformity.

When to consult your doctor about hammer toes

A hammertoe’s signature symptom is a toe bent upward in the middle. These buckled toes may result in pain when walking, calluses and blisters because your toes rub against your shoes, pain in the toe joint, and stiffness in the affected toe. In most cases, bent toes don’t cause any symptoms but if you experience swelling, trouble walking, calluses or corns, or redness, inform your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic techniques for hammertoes

During your initial appointment at Eazy Foot & Ankle, Dr. Elhiani discusses your symptoms and examines your toe alignment and flexibility. He may also conduct X-rays to understand the inner structures of your feet and toes. If you have diabetes, your provider may perform additional tests to determine if a neurological condition triggers tendon imbalance.

Available treatments for hammertoes

After diagnosis, your doctor may make several treatment suggestions before recommending the most effective. Your initial treatment may involve wearing custom orthotics to protect your toes and changing your footwear to something more comfortable. The team at Eazy Foot & Ankle may also teach you exercises to stretch your foot muscles, preventing further deterioration in muscle balance in your toes. If your hammertoes are flexible, Dr. Elhiani may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone shots, taping your toes, or insulating padding. If you have rigid hammertoes, you may benefit from surgery. The team offers several outpatient surgery options depending on the severity of your condition. They emphasize absorbable implants and minimally invasive surgery.

During surgery, your provider creates an incision in the affected toe to correct the deformity. They then remove part of your toe bone or make minimally invasive bone cuts to restore toe alignment. Within minutes, the team corrects the abnormal bend, restoring optimal mobility in your toes and alleviating your symptoms. After the procedure, your provider may recommend wearing special shoes or a splint for 2-4 weeks to allow your toe to heal. You may experience toe soreness after the surgery, but it will improve over time.

Call Dr. Elhiani or book your spot online for treatment if you have troublesome hammertoes.

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