Can Hammertoes Be Halted?

Hammertoe is a condition that causes an abnormal bend in the toes, most often in your second toe. Imbalanced muscles cause the end of your toe to dip down, giving your foot a claw-like appearance.   

Though the condition may not cause any symptoms when it begins, most people experience pain, burning, and inflammation when wearing shoes as the disorder progresses. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait to see your podiatrist. It may be possible to halt hammertoe in its tracks!

The board-certified podiatrists at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, are experts at diagnosing, treating, and preventing hammertoe. Read on to learn what you need to understand about hammertoe and whether you can prevent it!    

Why do I have hammertoe?

Though small, your toes are complex. They have 28 joints that connect to the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in your feet and toes. 

It’s easy for imbalances in the muscles of your toes to occur because of the way you walk or the shoes you wear. When this happens, you may develop several problems with your feet, including hammertoe. 

People with a family history of hammertoe, chronic health conditions, like arthritis or diabetes, and people who wear high-heeled shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box are more likely to develop the condition. Your risk of hammertoe also increases as you age. 

Can hammertoes be halted?

Yes! If you catch hammertoe in the early stages, when you can still move your bent toe, you can take steps to prevent it from developing further. In later stages, your toe can become fixed and may require medical correction.

The best way to halt hammertoe is by choosing the right footwear. Your provider at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers can provide recommendations to help your toes heal. 

Other measures to help prevent furthering your hammertoe include:

• Performing regular foot and toe exercises to improve muscle balance and strength
• Custom shoe orthotics for better foot support 
• Taping to use your adjacent toes for support
• A night splint to retrain your toe 
• Orthopedic shoes with a larger toe box
• Medications or injections to reduce inflammation

If your hammertoe is fixed in place, your provider at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers may recommend surgical intervention to correct the issue. 

Suspect you may have hammertoe? Don’t wait to contact the experts at the Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers office nearest you to halt hammertoe in its tracks. You can also request an appointment online.