Hammertoe is a condition that involves an abnormal bending of your toes. At its most severe, it can cause you to no longer be able to straighten your affected toe or toes. Our team of highly skilled podiatrists at Podiatry Associates of Indiana can help to manage the condition of hammertoe in Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Plainfield, and Indianapolis, IN.

What is a hammertoe?

Hammertoe is caused by a contracture of the toe joint that can happen in one toe or multiple toes at the same time. A contracture is a permanent shortening of the structures of a joint, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The podiatrists at Podiatry Associates of Indiana serving Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Plainfield, and Indianapolis, IN treat hammertoe frequently, as it is a common condition that occurs more in females.

Once diagnosed with hammertoe, there are things that you can do to stop the condition from worsening. These include:

• Change your footwear. Your shoe of choice should be roomy in the toe area. This will help comfort and prevent developing callouses and corns on your toes. 
• Strengthening and stretching exercises to keep the toes as flexible as possible help significantly. Performing these exercises daily prevents the structures of the toe joints from shortening into abnormal positions.
• Donning a splint overnight may be helpful to keep your toes in a lengthened position for the hours that you are asleep.

How is it diagnosed and what are the symptoms of hammertoe?

Hammertoe is generally easily diagnosed because of the physical deformity that will be present. However, an accurate diagnosis by a podiatrist is critical. This may involve the order of x-rays, MRIs, or other imaging techniques of your foot to ensure that there is no serious internal damage that cannot be seen, such as fractures or tears to ligaments and tendons. Some symptoms to look out for if you think you have this condition are:

• Stiffness in your toe joint making it hard to move
• Pain in the toe and ball of your foot
• Development of corns or calluses on top of your toes
• Swelling, redness, or a burning feeling in the joint

If left untreated, hammertoes may progress to the point where they are permanently shortened and surgery is the only option to fix this. When the toe gets to this point, conservative measures will not work to fix hammertoes.

Contact us for more information

Our team of podiatrists from Podiatry Associates of Indiana wants to ease your pain and discomfort caused by hammertoe in Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Plainfield, and Indianapolis, IN. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (866) 344-FEET.