Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes.
In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it
to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become
inflexible and require surgery. 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. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet
and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle
imbalance.
Treatment for the condition typically involves wearing shoes with
soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen
the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions, or
nonmedicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.
In severe cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.
For more information on hammertoes, please contact our Long Island foot doctors at Advanced Podiatry today at either our Manhasset, Huntington, Coram, Woodbury, Mineola, Williston Park & Maspeth, Plainview NY practice! Or contact us through our site's request form.