You can blame any of a variety of possible culprits for hammertoes, from Chattanooga to chronic illness and injuries to unfortunate shoe choices, but there are several ways to cure it.
Who gets hammertoe?
To understand which hammertoe treatment is best for you, you need to know why you're getting it.
The most common risk factors include:
Aging
Be a woman
Have a second finger longer than the big toe
Diabetes
Arthritis
History of the hammer finger family
If you apply one or more of these factors, you are more prone to joint contractures that involuntarily flex your toe. When muscles, tendons and ligaments are not well balanced, they contract and flex. Over time, they can maintain a bent position.
In addition to the aforementioned risk factors, one of the most common causes of hammertoe is a shoe that doesn't fit properly. If your shoes are too tight or too high, they can force your toes into a bent position. Worse, this tight environment creates friction and friction that leads to corns, calluses, and bunions, each of which sharpens hammertoes.
Straighten hammertoe
If your Hammer to finger is linked to a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, keeping your health in check can help alleviate these symptoms.
There are now ways to relieve or even anatomically correct the symptoms of hammertoe.
Here are five ways to approach hammertoes.
Choose the right shoes
Since unsuitable shoes are the main cause of hammertoes, the first and easiest action is to get rid of shoes that hurt your feet and replace them with models that promote healing and prevent further damage.
With hammertoe healing shoes, you should pay attention to:
Wide finger
Space to move your fingers
Flat shoes
Flexible material
Proper arch support
No friction or slip
Whether you have diabetes or not, shoes marked as diabetic shoes are a great option for you.
Wear suitable socks
The more protection your fingers have, the more likely they are to recover from hammer-like contractures. Some shoes have good cushioning properties, but this is not enough. Add more cushioning by wearing soft, baggy socks—or even double it up for maximum protection and comfort.
Get custom orthotics
You may have seen an advertisement for insole at your local drugstore. Although these general insoles offer a little extra cushioning, it cannot be compared to custom-made orthoses that perfectly follow the unique contours of your feet.
The hardener can also help fix stubborn hammertoes and protect them from damage.
Run your toes
Because hammertoes are primarily a problem with finger muscles, strengthening them can help relieve tension and help them flex.
We can give you some specific exercises you can do at home, including stretching your fingers on a towel. Place a small towel in front of you while sitting in a chair. Place your toes on the edge of the towel closest to you, then flex and release to pull the towel toward you. Repeat the exercise five times with each foot.
Perform the action
If this conservative approach does not resolve the problem and the joint is too stiff and immobile, we may recommend surgery to lengthen the tendon, reposition the tendon from the lower finger, or remove a small section of bone and joint anastomosis.