HAMMER TOES

WHAT ARE HAMMER TOES?

A Hammertoe develops when the toe joint curls or buckles due to tight tendons or muscle imbalance. Wearing tight shoes and tight pantyhose and socks greatly increase your chances of acquiring a Hammer Toe.

There are two types of Hammer Toes, flexible or rigid.

A Flexible Hammer Toe can be straightened by your fingers. Generally, they are not painful.

A Rigid Hammer Toe cannot be straightened, it is painful and distorts the foot movement considerably. It may also cause extra stress on the ball of the foot causing a callus or corn.

In most cases, the little toe is the most likely to have a Hammer Toe. Your little toes help you with your balance and they are like levers that help push your foot along so you can ambulate. When you ambulate the foot flattens and the little toes bend to grip the ground. With your Podiatrist's help you can have your Hammer Toes treated so you can walk around comfortably.

How to Treat Hammer Toes

In most cases, all you need to do is change the type of shoes you are wearing. You should wear shoes that have a wide toe box, good arch support and they should not put pressure on any surfaces of your feet. Using a pad or splint to hold your toes straight will also help. If you have severe symptoms surgery will probably be needed. What surgery you have will depend on whether your toe joints are flexible or rigid.

HAGLUND'S DEFORMITY

HAGLUND’S DEFORMITY

Haglund’s Deformity, also called a “Pump Bump” is an ailment that is caused by an excess build-up of bone that forms on the back of the heel. It is called a “pump bump” because it is usually caused by wearing pump-style shoes. The hard backs of the shoes put pressure on the heel so it becomes irritated.

SYMPTOMS OF HAGLUND’S DEFORMITY

The first symptom is a large bump seen on the back of the heel, the bump is usually very uncomfortable and hurts. Tight shoes add to the condition. It may become swollen and red, may also form a fluid filled sack called a bursa, and may even become inflamed. The most common causes are:

*Improper Shoes

*Weight

*Injuries

If you feel pain in the back of your heel you should call us at Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic right away.

If you have Haglund’s Deformity there is a good chance you will also have Achilles tendonitis. This is when you feel tightness in the heel while walking or running. If you are experiencing tightness in the tendon, stretching exercises are recommended.

Even if you do not have this problem now, prevention is the best medicine. There are Achilles tendon exercises that will stop the deformity. Also, it is wise to avoid running or walking on hard surfaces, wear good shoes with arch support and good inserts, massage and ice. You should also not wear high heeled shoes.

There are four ways to help Haglund’s Deformity

1.   The Price Plan

Protection

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

2.   Good Shoes

In almost all cases of the deformity, the shoes are to blame. Constant pressure and rubbing cause the ailment. Get shoes with arch support and good inserts. Make sure they are not too tight. Custom made orthotics are a good choice here also.

3.    Take it Easy

Runners tend to overuse and overstretch the tendons. Try wearing orthotics and heel pads.

4.   Injections and Surgery

When nothing else works, surgery is required. When you have surgery your foot will be immobilized for some time.