How your podiatrists in Crofton, MD, Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, can help you get relief from hammertoes
Is your toe bent at the middle toe joint, causing it to look like a hammer? If so, you could have a hammertoe, which is a painful condition that can impact your ability to stay active. Fortunately, your podiatrist can help correct a hammertoe and relieve your pain.
The podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group provide comprehensive foot and ankle services, including treatment of hammertoes. They have several convenient office locations in Crofton, MD, and Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, to help you and your feet.
A hammertoe can be caused by a tendon and ligament imbalance, or by wearing shoes that are too narrow. Your toes may be crushed together, causing the middle toe joint to turn inward. This inward bending forces your toe to stick out. Eventually, the toe can’t be straightened out, and you have a hammertoe.
Hammertoes can occur on the second, third, or fourth toe. They are more common in women, from wearing narrow, pointed-toe shoes, and high heels, which push the toes forward.
If you think you may be developing a hammertoe, you should:
- Switch to more comfortable, wide shoes
- Stretch your toes individually to maintain flexibility
- Wear cushions or pads inside your shoes
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
Moderate to severe hammertoe pain should be treated by a podiatrist. Professional treatments for hammertoe include:
- Toe splints to help realign your toe
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
- Surgery to realign your toe and foot
Don’t let a hammertoe interfere with your ability to stay active and enjoy life. Relief from toe, foot, and ankle pain is just a phone call away.
To learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of hammertoes, call the podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group. You can reach them in Crofton, MD, by calling (410) 721-4505, Woodbridge, VA, by calling (703) 583-5959, Chantilly, VA, by calling (703) 490-5599, and Sterling, VA, by calling (703) 444-9555. Call now.