Hammer Toe Treatment in Adelaide

Hammer toe is a condition that causes deformity in the second, third and fourth toe. It alters the structure of the middle joint in the affected toe so that it appears bent down, giving an impression of a hammer.

To begin with, the hammer toe appears flexible but if the condition is left untreated, it becomes rigid. The condition results in swelling in the area, pain, and difficulty while walking.

Symptoms of Hammer Toe

An individual with a hammer toe has a toe that is typically in a bent position. He or she will find it very tough to straighten the toe or it may not straighten at all in the first place.

Some of the other associated symptoms include:

Pain in the inflicted toe.
Discomfort and escalated pain while wearing footwear or while walking.
Swelling in the area
Hardened skin (corn or callus) on top of the hammer toe joint.

Causes of Hammer Toe

Our team of experts can diagnose Hammer toe using the latest techniques. Some of the common causes include:

Wearing tight shoes

Wearing narrow, short shoes constrict the area of your feet and cause the toe to bend towards the top. As a result, toe muscles and tendons shrink and become shorter. This causes the toe to remain in a compromised bent position, leading to the condition. Even high-heeled shoes with tight toe boxes can cause hammer toe.

Toe Length and Flat feet

People who have naturally long toes may be prone to hammer toe because the chances of one of their toes being bent or constricted by tight or high-heeled shoes are more than usual. People who have flat feet, and arthritic feet meaning feet with no visible arch can also have hammer toes.

Bunion

A bunion is a condition where your big toe moves inwards toward the second toe. This is also a condition that gives rise to hammertoe.

Other causes

Trauma to your foot following an injury, arthritis, or damage to the spine or peripheral nerve can also cause hammertoes.

Treatment for hammertoes

Your podiatrist is your best help to offer the correct line of treatment for hammertoe as well as neuroma. If the condition is mild in nature, he or she may suggest shoe inserts or custom-made orthotics. There are specialized exercises that work on resolving the condition, especially when your hammertoe is flexible.

In cases of pain, NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal and Inflammatory Drugs may also be administered to combat pain and swelling. However, if the hammertoe is rigid, surgery is the only viable option. The good news is that the surgery will completely resolve the problem by repositioning the toe and realigning the joints. Also, you can go back home or office the same day, as it is an outpatient procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions for Hammer Toe

How do diagnose my hammertoe condition?

We use the latest techniques to find out the actual cause of hammertoe. A physical examination is conducted, and we may also perform imaging tests like an X-ray to check if you have a bone, ligament tea or muscular injury that is affecting your toe.

Can I avoid surgery for hammertoe?

Most cases of hammertoe can be treated without surgery. But if the affected toe is rigid, then surgery is the only option to straighten your toe joint. The benefit is aplenty; because your toe will become normal, and you will not face pain and trouble while walking anymore. Also, surgery is done through local anesthesia wherein only the affected area is made numb, so it is a painless procedure. Since it is an outpatient procedure, you can go ahead on the same day. We are also specialists in the procedure having treated many cases of hammertoes at our clinic.

What if I do not treat my hammertoe?

Treatment for hammertoe is easy if we can assess the cause. That’s the reason we are here – to ensure that your hammertoe is completely done away. Having said that, if you wait too long, then the surrounding toes can also become out of shape because the affected hammer toe alters its position over a period. So, it is best to get timely treatment from our experts at your side.

Hammertoe can be a stumbling block to your movement, literally. Why let it affect you when recovery is possible? If you want to address your condition of hammertoe and do away with the unsightly bulge and difficulty while walking, click on this link to book an appointment with out experts.

Hammer Toe Treatment in Adelaide