Q: What is a hammertoe?
Hammertoe refers to a bend in one or both joints of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th toe, with the 2nd toe being the most common. This abnormal bend can increase the pressure on the toe in the shoe and cause ulcers. The deformity is mild in the early stages and then progressively worsens, with the toe becoming increasingly bent and stiff until it does not respond to non-surgical treatment. It often occurs in women who wear high-heeled or narrow-toed shoes.
Q: What are the causes?
The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle/tendon imbalance that is due to changes in
(1) Ill-fitting shoes with too little space in the shoe, which aggravates the hammertoe;
(2) Toes that are too long;
(3) Occasionally, hammertoes are the result of early trauma;
(4) It comes from a family history;
(5) Nerve damage and dysfunction complicated by diabetes or stroke patients.
Q: What are the symptoms?
(1) Pain and irritation in the toes when wearing shoes
(2) Corns and calluses (thickened skin) formation, mainly between the toes or on the belly of the toes
(3) Inflammatory manifestations of the foot, such as redness or burning sensation
(4) Toe cramps
(5) Open wounds in severe patients
Risk factors: age, gender (female prevalence), excessive length of the second toe
Q: How is the diagnosis made?
Mallet toe is easy to diagnose. Your doctor will help examine the toe for contractures and x-rays to assess the angle of the deformity. Hammertoe does not get better on its own and usually gets worse. However, not all patients do; some progress quickly and some slowly. It is important to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Q: How is treatment performed?
Your doctor will choose a treatment plan based on the severity of the hammertoe and the overall condition.
(i) Non-surgical treatment
If your foot is still stable, your doctor will recommend that you.
1. Change to shoes with more space and more comfort: shoes with a low heel, wide toe, and elastic fabric in the toe area are best; at least half an inch (1.27 cm) between the very tip of the toe and the toe of the shoe
2, the heel of the shoe does not exceed 2 cm. Can not wear pointed shoes, high-heeled shoes, too small shoes!
3, Custom orthopedic insoles or spacers in shoes: can redistribute pressure in the foot, help control muscle/tendon imbalances, and reduce pressure and pain during hammertoe
4, the use of splints, strapping: splints or small tape can correct bent toes
5, drugs: oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen to reduce pain
6, glucocorticoid injection: can relieve pain and inflammation
7, on the ground with a thin towel, do toe stretching exercises
Important reminders:
(1) avoid using over-the-counter corns or calluses cream or paste, because many contain acids that can cause severe skin irritation, is harmful, it is best to consult a doctor first
(2) Do not trim calluses or corns on the hammertoe area by yourself, especially for diabetics or patients with poor blood flow to the lower extremities! Because it will form wounds and even infections.
(2) Surgical treatment
Your surgeon will choose the surgical procedure based on the number of toes involved, the degree of deformity, your age, activity level and some other factors. The surgical procedure varies and so does the recovery period.
1. If the hammertoe becomes stiff and painful and conservative treatment fails, surgery is performed to loosen the tendon or even remove part of the bone to straighten the toe
2. If there is an open wound, surgery is required
Note: Patients often have a combination of bunions or other foot deformities at the same time.
Q: How to do prevention work?
Many foot and ankle problems can be avoided with the right footwear. The following are the shoes you should buy.
(1) Adequate toe space: no squeezing of the toes
(2) Low heel: can avoid back pain and other problems in the future
(3) Shoes with laces that can be better fixed and adjusted
(4) Buy shoes at night: because the feet are smallest in the morning and become swollen the most at night
(5) With the change of age, the size of shoes should be adjusted, especially the width
(6) Ask the shoe repair store to stretch the upper to make the tighter parts slack