Hammertoes

Helping you overcome your foot and ankle pain through our advanced facilities so you can get back to doing the things you love …and work.

You try to keep yourself as healthy as possible. But do you consider how different parts of your body factor into your overall health? For example, if you do not take care of your feet properly, you could develop conditions that may cause you unnecessary pain and tenderness.

One such condition is a hammertoe. If you suffer from this condition, you will want to meet with our podiatrists to fix the issue. At Advanced Foot and Ankle Centers of Illinois, we specialize in helping our patients find relief so they can continue with their day-to-day routines.

 

Learn About Hammertoes

Though a hammertoe is not as severe as other foot injuries or conditions, it can cause frustration and discomfort. When the muscles and ligaments around the middle joints in your toe become imbalanced, the joint bends and sticks in place. The toe often looks like a hammer, hence the name “hammertoe.”

Typically, you can develop a hammertoe on your second, third, or fourth toes. However, you can develop the condition on your big and little toes in rare circumstances. Additionally, you can develop hammertoes if you have arthritis, have suffered from an injury to the toes, wear poor-fitting footwear, or if you have flat feet or a high arch.

Mens hammer toes before surgery

Discover How a Podiatrist Can Help

Depending on the severity of your hammertoe, a podiatrist may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

  • New shoes that fit properly and have enough room in the toe area (at least half an inch longer than your longest toe)
  • Toe exercises
  • Strips, nonmedicated corn pads, or cushions
  • Flexor Tenotomy – an in-office hammertoe procedure, but only for flexible hammertoes 
    • No stitches 
    • Minor pain 
    • 5 minutes 
    • Only local anesthesia needed

In rare cases, surgery is necessary to reverse the effects of a severe hammertoe. Our podiatrists will let you know which option will best alleviate your symptoms.

Relieve Your Pain Today

If you think you have a hammertoe, make an appointment with an expert podiatrist in Chicago, IL. Get in touch with any of our offices in Illinois, or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. Let Advanced Foot and Ankle Centers of Illinois provide you with relief.