Treating Hammertoes in Canarsie

Podiatrist in Canarsie

Hammertoe happens when there is an imbalance between the muscle and the ligament around the toe joint. This causes the middle toe joint to bend and become stuck in place. The condition is usually diagnosed with an x-ray. Hammertoes cause irritation due to the rubbing against the bent toe. At Metropolitan Foot Care, our podiatrist in Canarsie treats hammertoes with a variety of different methods.

Patients can treat themselves by wearing shoes that are wide at the toe, giving space between the toe and tip of the shoe. Also, refraining from high heels and wearing appropriate shoes for running, hiking or walking is ideal. Non-medicated hammertoe pads can also help. Hammertoe pads work by fitting around the top of the toe joint to relieve pressure that builds up along the toe. Ice and aspirin can also help relieve swelling. Treating hammertoes at our office involves cortisone injections if needed, that can relieve severe pain. We may also give you a variety of foot exercises to try so that muscle balance can be restored and pain lessened. We can also create an insert to wear inside the shoe to reduce pain and keep the hammertoe from progressing to a worse state.

Besides treating hammertoes, we also treat bunions, a progressive foot condition that affects the joint of the big toe and causes deformities. Over time, the joint becomes enlarged and rubs against shoes and footwear, becoming irritated. Bunions can cause hammertoes, calluses and shin splints. For more mild cases and temporary relief, we may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling. Ice, staying off feet as much as possible and wearing comfortable shoes can provide immediate relief for bunions. If the bunions become extremely restrictive, surgery may be discussed as an option. Surgery can be a highly effective treatment that can relieve bunions permanently in the case of extremely large or painful bunions.

Metropolitan Foot Care
9413 Flatlands Ave Suite E201
Brooklyn, NY 11236
(718) 502-8789

By Metropolitan Foot Care
June 24, 2017