How your podiatrists in Crofton, MD, and Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, can help when you have a hammertoe
Hammertoes can be extremely painful and can interfere with your ability to stay active. Fortunately, your podiatrist can treat hammertoes, so you can get back on your feet. The podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group provide a wide range of podiatry services, including the treatment of hammertoes. They have several convenient office locations in Crofton, MD, and Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, to help you get relief from hammertoes.
Hammertoes are caused by an imbalance of the tendons and ligaments in your toes. They can also develop due to wearing shoes that are pointed and narrow, crushing your toes together.
For a hammertoe to develop, the middle toe joint begins to turn inward. This causes your toe to stick out, resembling a hammer. The toe eventually becomes fixed in the bent position and can’t be straightened out.
Hammertoes most commonly develop on your second, third, or fourth toes. Women are at greater risk of developing hammertoes because of wearing narrow, pointed-toe shoes, and high heels, which thrust your toes forward.
If you are starting to develop a hammertoe, there are a few simple tips you can try, including:
- Wearing more comfortable, wider shoes to give your toes plenty of room
- Stretching each of your toes individually to maintain flexibility
- Wearing cushions or pads inside your shoes to support your toes
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication to reduce joint pain and swelling
You should also seek out help from your podiatrist for long-term relief from hammertoes. Your podiatrist may recommend:
- Toe splints to help realign your toe
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle, tendon, and ligament imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
- Surgery to realign your toe and foot
To find out more about the causes and treatment of hammertoes, talk with the experts. 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 today.