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Does the second toe, next to the big toe, of your foot bump into the top of your shoes? If so, you will probably develop, or already have developed, a hammertoe. While hammertoes can develop on any toe, they usually occur in the second toe. The toe becomes bent and painful and buckles under. The top of it rubs against the inside of the shoe. Over time, this affects the toe joints, causing the toe to reshape itself. Eventually the toe has a claw-like appearance. A hard corn develops on top of the toe because of pressure in that area.
CAUSES OF HAMMERTOE INCLUDE: - inherited from a parent
- wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow
- a flat front arch
- a bunion that may cause the big toe to slide under the second toe
- muscle and nerve damage caused by diabetes
SYMPTOMS OF HAMMERTOE INCLUDE: - pain at the tip of the toe where it hits the bottom of the shoe
- a toe that buckles under
- a callous or hard corn on top of the toe
- redness and irritation
TO RELIEVE THE DISCOMFORT OF HAMMERTOES: - wear shoes that are the proper length and width
- apply a donut-shaped pad to the top of the toe to reduce friction and irritation
- stretch the toes often
- take anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve pain and inflammation
These medications should not be taken without approval from a doctor. If the person has an ulcer, kidney problems, an allergy to aspirin, or if on a blood-thinning medication. In rare cases, surgery is used to straighten the toe or remove the bony prominence on the top of the toe. Article #4556 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
