Tired of Hiding Your Hammertoes? Nonsurgical Treatment Options to Consider

Hammertoes can be as uncomfortable as they are unsightly. They can make you want to hide your feet, even as the weather grows warm and summer footwear beckons. If you’re uncomfortable showing your feet due to hammertoes, our team at Capital Podiatry Associates is here to help. 

Fortunately, treating hammertoes doesn’t always mean surgery. Less invasive options can yield impressive results. Let’s talk about hammertoes and the nonsurgical treatments that can correct them. 

What are hammertoes, and how do they develop?

The term “hammertoe” refers to a foot deformity in which one or more toe joints becomes abnormally bent. Instead of lying relatively flat, the toe takes on a humped shape that resembles the head of a hammer. 

Hammertoe most often affects the second, third, or fourth toe, not your big toe or little toe. The abnormal bend occurs in the middle joint of the toe. 

In the early stages, hammertoes are flexible and can still be manipulated back into normal alignment. But over time, the affected toe joint can grow stiffer, eventually becoming rigid and unable to uncurl.

Hammertoes develop over time as something forces one or more toes to shift out of normal alignment. Some common causes include:

• Shoes that are too narrow or lack proper arch support
• Flat feet or high arches
• Bunions
• Abnormally long toes
• Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes

As you can see, some of these causes are within your control, while many are not. 

Is surgery the only treatment option for hammertoes?

Many people live with hammertoes for years because they don’t want surgery, and believe it is the only treatment. 

But nonsurgical treatments can also help, especially if your hammertoes are in the early stages. Consider the following: 

Changing your footwear

Shoes that leave plenty of room for your toes and support your feet can help an abnormally bent toe move back into alignment. Custom orthotics can also help by changing the distribution of weight across your foot and providing additional cushioning as needed. 

Toe exercises

Toe exercises can encourage bent toes to shift into better alignment. Our team can teach you how to perform these exercises in our office, and can build a custom program so you can continue them at home. 

Taping

Medical tape can improve the alignment of the joints in your hammertoe. Over time, this helps the toe lie flat and in line with the adjacent toes. 

Don’t let hammertoes keep your feet hidden this spring

If you want to slide into a great pair of sandals, slides, or flip flops this spring, we can help you feel great about showing your feet again. 

When you’re ready to explore the possibilities, we’re ready to partner with you. Call our office or use our simple online booking tool to set up a visit.