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Treatment Options for Hammertoes

Treatment Options for Hammertoes

Find out how you can manage your hammertoe symptoms at home and when to seek professional care.


Deformities don’t just occur in the big toe, they can also develop in the middle joints of your smaller toes. This is known as a hammertoe, and this problem causes the toes to bend down like a claw. Apart from the obvious cosmetic flaws this deformity can cause, it can also lead to foot pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. This is why it’s important to turn to our Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, and Plainfield, IN podiatrists if you suspect that you might have a hammertoe.


Is your hammertoe flexible?

Do you notice that your toes naturally bend downward? If so, this could be the early signs of a hammertoe. Like bunions, this problem is progressive, and the goal is to prevent a flexible hammertoe from becoming rigid.


So, how do you know that your hammertoe is flexible? If you can still straighten the toe out, then it’s flexible. Of course, even minor changes in the shape of your feet warrant seeing your podiatrist for an evaluation.


How do I treat a hammertoe?

If you have a flexible hammertoe, then conservative home care and lifestyle changes may be all you need to prevent the deformity from getting worse. Some of these changes and treatment options include,


  • Getting rid of shoes that bunch up toes and replacing them with shoes with wide toe boxes that won’t put pressure on the toes
  • Wearing custom orthotics crafted by a qualified podiatrist that can be placed into the shoes to support, cushion, and redistribute weight evenly among the foot
  • Performing special exercises for your toes such as picking up small objects with your toes or stretching the toes out
  • If your toes are severely bent but still flexible, they may be prone to calluses, so you may want to apply a non-medicated pad to the joint before wearing shoes


When should I see a podiatrist?

If you notice any changes in the appearance or shape of your feet, then it’s worth consulting a podiatrist before you start self-diagnosing and treating the problem yourself.


Your podiatrist can also provide you with more effective treatment options and solutions that you might not be able to do on your own. Plus, we can also determine whether your feet could benefit from surgery to correct the hammertoe, which may be the case for patients with severe, painful hammertoes that don’t respond to home care.


If you are dealing with painful hammertoes, you must have a podiatrist that you can turn to for care. The podiatric team at Podiatry Associates of Indiana is proud to serve Indianapolis as well as Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, and Plainfield, IN. Call us today at (866) 344-3338 to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly, knowledgeable podiatrists.

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