Hammer toe is a common foot deformity. It can be both painful and unsightly. But help is available through the care provided by Jason Cohen, DPM, Sandeep Garcha, DPM, and their team at Cohen & Garcha Podiatry, LLP. They have offices in Nanuet, Jamaica, and Bronx, New York. If you have concerns about foot pain or changes in the shape of your feet, contact the office nearest today. Make an appointment over the phone or use the easy online booking tool.
Each of your toes has three joints. Hammer toe, a common foot deformity, is an abnormal bend in the toe’s middle joint. This condition can develop in the second, third, and fourth toes. When an abnormal bend develops in the joint closest to the end of your toe, the condition is called a mallet toe.
The first sign of hammer toe or mallet toe is a visible change in the shape of your toes, with the affected joints rising above their normal alignment. Many people with these deformities find it challenging to feel good about the appearance of their feet.
While most hammer toe and mallet toe cases won’t lead to severe foot pain, you could experience pain when wearing some kinds of shoes. Footwear that is tight around the toes can increase friction both on top of and between toes.
People with hammer toe usually can’t straighten the affected toe and can eventually experience problems walking normally. Treatments can help, especially when you seek care in the early stages of these common toe deformities.
Many things can cause changes in the joints of your toes. Some of the known causes include:
You can reduce your risk of developing hammer toe and mallet toe by wearing shoes that support your feet, leaving plenty of room for normal toe movement. If you’re unsure which shoes are best, your podiatrist can advise you on styles that won’t stress or strain your feet.
Changing footwear is a great way to prevent a hammertoe from developing or getting worse. Some people benefit from using custom orthotics (shoe inserts) or padding in their shoes.
Exercise can stretch and strengthen the muscles in your toes. This not only corrects minor joint misalignment but also reduces discomfort.
Contact the office nearest you right away if you notice that your toes have changed shape or you suffer lingering foot pain. You can schedule an exam online at any time or by phone during regular business hours.
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