Hammertoes

A hammertoe is a term used to describe a crooked, deviated, or contracted toe. Although the condition usually stems from muscle imbalance, it is often aggravated by poor-fitting shoes or socks that cramp the toes. Over a period of years, the tendons that move the toe up and down begin to pull the toe with unequal tension, and the toe then begins to buckle or become contracted, causing an abnormal "v"-shaped bending of the little toes. Patients with this condition often experience pain, swelling, redness and stiffness in the affected toes.

While most cases of hammertoes are caused by an underlying muscle imbalance, it may develop as a result of several different causes, including arthritis, a hereditary condition, an injury, or ill-fitting shoes. In some cases, patients develop hammertoes after wearing shoes or stockings that are too tight for long periods of time. These patients usually develop hammertoes in both feet.

Treatment for hammertoes depends on the severity of the condition, but may include home remedies, anti-inflammatory medications, and orthotics. For more severe cases, surgery may also be recommended, given that the patient is a good candidate for the procedure. Those who have poor blood circulation on the foot and have other health problems should avoid surgery. To determine and understand which type of treatment is best for your condition, consult a podiatrist.

Hammertoe surgery involves removing a small section of bone from the affected joint and replacing them with an artificial prosthesis through a procedure called arthroplasty. Arthrodesis may also be performed to treat hammertoes, which involves fusing together one of the joints in the toe in order to keep it straight. This procedure requires the use of a metal pin to hold the toe in position while it heals. Depending on the type of hammertoe surgery you will get, the recovery period may take a few weeks.