Toe Deformities: Stay on Your Toes!

If you regularly check your feet, good for you! This is a great idea to watch for any differences in your skin or any damage that should be cared for.

When you do your foot inspection, look carefully at your toes. Over time, toe deformities may appear because of inadequate biomechanics, foot bone positioning and diseases like arthritis that affect the foot’s bones and joints. Toe deformities can be present at birth but may also be caused by wearing shoes that are improperly fitted. In addition to arthritis, diabetes and stroke can also affect nerve and muscle function and tighten the tendons in the toes.

Toe deformities, if not treated promptly, can even affect the alignment of your weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.

Symptoms of Toe Deformities

A hammertoe will be bent at the middle joint so that the toe resembles a hammer. Most often found in the second toe, hammertoes cause pain when wearing shoes. When shoes don’t fit right, friction and pressure can cause irritation and calluses. Early on in its development, a hammertoe will be flexible and can be treated. However, a rigid hammertoe may require surgery for correction.

Claw toes differ from hammertoes because the toe joint at the ball of the foot bends upward, and then the middle or end joints bend downwards so the toe resembles a claw.

In mallet toe, the bent joint is the upper one instead of the middle joint.

Treating Toe Deformities

To treat hammertoes, claw toes and mallet toes, we will first apply non-invasive methods to relieve pain and, importantly, to delay the deformity’s progression.

Some of these treatments include switching to shoes with a large toe box as well as pads and cushions to prevent skin irritations. Splints or tape can help to reposition the toes. Stretching exercises can restore flexibility and strength.

Surgery may be required if these conservative measures are not effective or if the toes are too rigid. The goal of surgery will be to restore normal toe alignment as well as relieve pain.

Let Us Help Relieve the Discomfort of Toe Deformities

The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors which consists of Dr. Robert Marra, Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and Dr. Matthew Tshudy is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices in Hartford County, conveniently located in Enfield and South Windsor, CT.