If your toes appear misshapen or crooked, chances are good that you have hammertoes. Hammertoes are a bending of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop. The most common cause of hammertoes is muscle/tendon imbalances.
Common symptoms of hammertoes are pain, redness, swelling, calluses and ulcers. This is especially dangerous for diabetics as these conditions may lead to infection and ultimate amputation. Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time and if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and cause arthritis.
If surgery is recommended, the latest surgical techniques for hammertoe correction are now simple and effectively performed on an outpatient basis. Full weight bearing is possible the day of surgery. Procedures are performed in the same-day surgery section of a hospital.
Dr. Charles Birk is a diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Board Certified in Foot Surgery. To learn more about Hammertoe correction, or other foot-related problems including foot and ankle orthopedic injuries go to www.DoctorBirk.com or call 465-1644.
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