Hammer,
claw, and mallet toes are deformities of the joints of
the toes. Contracted digits are caused
by a muscle and tendon imbalance in the foot, arthritis, or constantly wearing ill-fitting
shoes. Some people have a predisposition to develop hammer toes due to the
structure of their feet. Women are more likely to develop hammer toes due to
shoe gear. Over time the toes can become rigidly contracted and be painful in
shoes. The toes can also develop calluses over the joint, which increase the
risk for ulcers in the callused areas. There are conservative methods for
treating hammer toes, such as splinting the toes or surgical methods to correct
the deformity.
Padding in
shoes, splinting the toes, or purchasing extra depth shoes can help alleviate
some of the pain from hammer toes. If surgical intervention is required, it
should be done by a foot and ankle specialist, such as a podiatrist. The
physicians at FAMILY FOOT CARE can evaluate your feet and determine the best
course of action to alleviate your pain. There are 2 convenient locations to
serve you 1022 Lee-Ann Drive Concord and
6602 Roberta Road Harrisburg. 704-786-4482
Hint: You should have your feet measured at
least once a year to make sure you are wearing the correct shoe size.
