3 Remedies for Hammer Toe

Foot deformities are more common among adults in the United States than you might realize. And hammer toe happens more frequently than you think. Could you be affected by hammer toe? 

This podiatry problem, caused by an underlying weakness in your forefoot, results in a toe or toes that habitually bend over at the knuckle. Expert podiatrist Dr. Leonard Greenwald offers effective treatments for hammer toe from his self-named practice in San Jose, California. If you have hammer toe, seek Dr. Greenwald’s advice for treatment. 

Here’s what Dr. Greenwald wants you to know about hammer toe and important information about three of the different types of treatments and therapies he uses to correct this type of deformity.

What you need to know about hammer toe

At first, developing a hammer toe might not seem like much of a cause for concern. However, this type of deformity progresses over time. Eventually, you might not be able to straighten your affected toes back out again on your own. So, you don’t want to delay seeking treatment.

Hammer toe happens when a weakness in the tendons of your forefoot stops holding your toe in its correct position. The deformity is most likely to affect your second, third, and fourth toes. One or more of your toes can be affected by this issue, which some say makes deformed toes resemble the head of a hammer in shape.

Often, hammer toe develops because of shoes that don’t fit right or put too much pressure on the front part of your feet. High heels and shoes with narrow toe boxes can cause hammer toe and worsen the condition once it starts developing.

Remedies for hammer toe

Dr. Greenwald recommends treatments to soothe symptoms related to your hammer toe or hammer toes, as well as strategies to address the underlying structural issues with the shape of your affected foot. Here are some of the remedies that can help with hammer toe.

1. Stop wearing badly-fitting shoes

If you keep trying to make it through your days in tight shoes that pinch, it’s time to stop as soon as you start to notice a hammer toe happening. Switch to supportive shoes with a wider toe box. In the early stages, just wearing different shoes may reverse your hammer toe.

You might also benefit from custom orthotics from Dr. Greenwald. Orthotic inserts support your toes in their correct position, so your forefoot can start to realign.

2. Try splinting and bracing

To retrain your forefoot to the correct shape, Dr. Greenwald may suggest that you try splinting, strapping, or taping to brace your affected toes. Sometimes, nighttime splinting can reverse mild cases of hammer toe without other intervention.

3. Address inflexible hammer toes with surgery

Once your hammer toe becomes fully inflexible, you may need surgery to reshape the affected area of your foot. Dr. Greenwald recommends the most conservative treatment option that can address your hammer toe and related symptoms.

To learn more about the best way to remedy hammer toe, contact Dr. Greenwald today. Schedule your initial consultation appointment over the phone or use our online scheduling tool to book your visit now.