Hammer Toes Treatment in Phoenix and Sun City, AZ
Yes, those shoes were amazing, you looked dazzling. Sadly, if those were too uncomfortable, they might be the main suspects in causing your “hammer toes”. A condition that can make every step you take painful and cause your toes to have a persistent feeling of stiffness. Fortunately, Dr Bland and his team have the knowledge and experience to treat you and help you recover your daily walking routine.
What Are Hammer Toes?
Hammer toes are a more serious problem than just having “ugly feet.” It is a deformity where the middle joint of one or more toes, often the second, third, or fourth, bends abnormally, causing the toe to resemble a hammer. A mild hammertoe may not affect your ability to walk or use your foot, but if left untreated, it can worsen, leading to pain, corns, difficulty walking, and long-term complications.
Hammer Toes Symptoms
The principal, and more obvious, symptom of suffering from hammer toes is the bending of your toes, but you can also experience:
- Persistent toe pain, especially during movement
- Swelling, redness, or inflammation around the toes
- Development of corns or calluses on top of the toe joint
- Restricted flexibility and visible toe deformity
Treatment for Hammer Toes
Nonsurgical Treatment for Hammer Toes
In the early stages of hammer toe, when the joint is still flexible, it can be treated with simple measures. Such as changes in the footwear, avoiding wearing narrow, tight, high-heeled shoes. Dr Bland recommends that shoes should be one-half inch longer than your longest toe.
Specific exercises can also help stretch and strengthen the muscles in your foot. Dr Bland may recommend gently stretching your toes manually (using your hands) or using your toes to pick things up off the floor.
Over-the-counter remedies can help relieve the pain. Using commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads can be helpful. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a lack of feeling in your feet, talk to your doctor before attempting any self-treatment.
Surgical Treatment for Hammer Toes
If the toe joint is rigid and no longer movable, or if nonsurgical treatment does not relieve your symptoms, Dr Bland may recommend surgery. The procedure will depend on the type and extent of the deformity. The surgical treatments that can be applied can be
- Tendon lengthening.
- Arthrodesis (joint fusion).
- Tendon transfer.
Hammer Toes Treatment in Phoenix and Sun City, AZ
If your toes are trying to communicate something, today might be the day to pay attention and take action. Schedule a consultation with Dr Bland and his team to explore options that are tailored to your lifestyle. You deserve to feel comfortable and confident with every step you take.
Contact our Phoenix or Sun City offices online today to recover your mobility. Don’t let stiffness hold you back any longer. Schedule your consultation.