Treating hammertoes in Phoenix
Hammertoes in Phoenix
Hammertoe treatment is always best handled by a podiatrist, and at Desert Foot Surgeons, you can be confident that you will be dealing with a highly skilled and experienced foot doctor. Hammertoe is frequently accompanied by pain, and that can interfere with your ability to go about your daily routine, including work. And when just walking is difficult or even impossible to do without significant discomfort, it’s him for you to address hammertoes in Phoenix so that you can get much-needed relief.
Hammertoes occur when the middle joint of your toe bends or curls, becoming stuck in that position. It happens due to the effects of excess pressure on the tendons and joints of the toe, causing it to move into that flexed state. The root cause can be arthritis, a genetic predisposition, or simply because your shoes fit poorly. In fact, footwear is the most common reason for developing hammertoes in Phoenix, particularly if you wear shoes that are too tight in the toe area. High heels often cause just such a problem, which is why women are more likely to develop hammertoes than men are. They can either be classified as rigid, in which the toe cannot move at all; or it can be called flexible, meaning that the toe has a minimal amount of motion still available to it. Treatment will depend on which type you have.
You will begin by scheduling an examination for your hammertoes in Phoenix. This means a physical checkup of your foot, along with x-rays. This will allow our podiatrist to make a definitive diagnosis and determine whether your hammertoe is flexible or rigid. In the case of flexible, you may only need the help of an orthotic, an insert that is worn inside your shoe. The point is to reduce the pressure on the toe, returning it to its normal state over time. If you have inflammation and swelling, medication might be prescribed to manage it. If you have severe pain, your foot doctor might recommend cortisone shots, however. Rigid hammertoes, as well as flexible ones that do not respond to the methods listed above, will usually need surgery to correct the situation.