Toes that don’t align straight may be caused by hammertoe and can be painful. The board-certified Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP experts offer effective surgical and nonsurgical solutions to bring you healthier toes. Call one of the offices in Dallas, Garland, or Richardson, Texas, to schedule a consultation or reserve a spot through the online reservation system.

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What are hammertoes?

Hammertoe is a condition where toes become misshapen, caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the bones. These ligaments hold the toe straight, and if they become weak or damaged, they can bend and cause discomfort. Hammertoes typically occur in the three middle toes more often than the big and pinky toes.

What causes hammertoes?

Some causes of hammertoes include certain external factors or an underlying condition, such as:

  • Wearing high heels too often
  • Shoes that are ill-fitting
  • Injuries like stubbing or jamming your toe
  • Imbalanced toe muscles

Moreover, your risk of developing hammertoes may increase if you have an existing diabetes or arthritis diagnosis. Your risk for hammertoes tends to increase with age, and women more frequently experience this condition. Experts believe genetics may also influence hammertoe development.

How are hammertoes diagnosed?

The Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP experts will perform a thorough examination of your feet to check for abnormalities. This may include light contact to monitor the tenderness of your toes and feet. They may also recommend diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, to see the bones in your feet more clearly.

How does a doctor treat hammertoes?

If you’re experiencing the earlier stages of hammertoes and possess some movement in your toes, the specialists may recommend preventive treatments to reverse further development. Some recommendations include special shoe inserts, better-fitting shoes, and calf stretches to improve the strength of surrounding muscles.

In more severe hammertoe cases, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to correct toe and foot structures. Hammertoes surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure that often requires a single stitch and a band-aid or a pin to hold the toe in place. The specialist may opt to fuse certain bones in the toe, depending on your unique needs.

How long does it take to recover from hammertoe surgery?

If you only require simple surgery, you may recover in as little as two to three weeks. If your foot expert needs to fuse bones in your feet, recovery may take several weeks. The Metroplex Foot and Ankle, LLP experts will carefully guide you through the entire process.

Call the Dallas, Garland, or Richardson office today to learn more and schedule an appointment or book online through the website’s reservation portal.