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How do podiatrists treat hammer toes?

Hammer toes are frequently managed by podiatry practitioners as they can be a source of pain in the feet. A hammer toe is a word which can be regularly used to refer to any kind of toe deformity, but a hammer toe is a specific deformity of a toe. A hammer toe deformity ordinarily only exists just in one toe at what is called the proximal interphalangeal joint. This is the joint at the bottom of the toe and it points upward and also the end of the toe is directed down.

The leading sign of the hammer toe is often when something like a corn grows on the top of the toe with the shoe pressure and becomes painful. This often happens if you are using tight shoes that places pressure on the top as well as end of the toe. There may be a bursa which builds up underneath the corn or rather than the corn. Almost all of the symptoms that develop are caused by pressure from footwear on the toe. You may also have a callus that grows underneath the metatarsal head near the bottom of the toe on the ball of the feet. At first, a hammer toe is usually flexible, but when its been there for a long time it will become more rigid.

Hammer toes are caused by a number of things. Generally speaking a number of people are just structurally liable to have hammer toes suggesting a hereditary risk. Restricted shoes are a key factor in the reason behind hammer toes. The tight footwear also provides the pressure that creates the symptoms. It is additionally considered that weaker intrinsic muscles in the feet could also lead to their progression.

Hammer toes prevention can be tough as signs and symptoms don't usually start until the issue is well established, so it is well along the way. The using of footwear which have extra room in the toebox may help the issue or at least slow down the hammer toes progression.

There are many strategies that podiatrists could take to manage a hammer toe. The first approach this really is vital that you comply with is suggestions regarding proper shoes. You need to have the right amount of room in the toe box in the shoes which will allow room for your toes to move without too much pressure on those toes. In case a corn is present on the toe then this will have to be managed. During the early stages if your toe is still flexible, it can be simple to use splints or strapping to try to hold the toe at a corrected posture. Unless the footwear is properly fitted then that is frequently unsuccessful. Podiatrists frequently use felt padding so you can get pressure off the toe to help the signs and symptoms. If these kinds of traditional therapies are not successful at helping the symptoms, then surgery is usually a good option. Surgical procedures to fix a hammer toe can be performed as a outpatient procedure if needed. There are numerous different types of procedures which can be used depending on the foot alignment and if the hammer toe is flexible or inflexible. For those who have a hammer toe that's leading to pain, then see a podiatrist.