Toe Deformities
Toe deformities like hammertoes, claw toes, and mallet toes occur when something puts pressure on your toes and pushes them out of place. Over time, muscles and tendons in your toes tighten, freezing your toes in a curled shape. If you’re suffering from toe deformities, or worried about them developing, there are options for you.
Hammer, claw and mallet toes are when your toes sit in an unusual position instead of the standard flat toe position. Although each one affects a different part of the foot or toe, they all have related symptoms. In hammertoes, the toe is bent at the middle joint. In claw toes, both joints of the toe are bent. A mallet toe bends downwards at the joint closest to the tip of the toe.
The most obvious sign of these conditions is the bend in the joints of the toes. There can also be enlargement of the toes and joints, difficulty fitting into shoes, and corns and calluses on the top or end of the toes. In many cases, there is pain or discomfort caused by irritation and rubbing in shoes.
Hammer, Claw, and Mallet Toes
Treatment
If left untreated, toe deformities can lead to the development of other conditions that can be painful and uncomfortable. Arthritis, calluses, and corns can all develop in and on the toes. These lead to difficulty walking, pain, discomfort, and difficulty fitting into footwear.
Luckily, there are various treatment methods available to relieve discomfort caused by toe deformities, such as corn and callus removal, orthopedic footwear, custom foot orthotics, toe props, and protective padding.
For a permanent solution, our Chiropodists can perform a tenotomy, a simple, low-risk procedure which returns the toes to a straightened position. This surgery is performed in-office without the need for an incision and takes only 30-45 minutes to complete.
If you’re suffering from toe deformities, or worried about them developing, there are options for you. Book an appointment with us to discover what treatment options are best for you.