When taking care of your feet, it is important to notice any unusual pain or discomfort that may develop. That is why it is essential to watch for any severe conditions, including hammertoe. This injury in the foot “results from an imbalance in the muscles and tendons that hold the toe straight.”
Sometimes, it is necessary to consider hammertoe surgery, the process of aligning the foot correctly due to hammertoe forming. However, it can be difficult to tell if conservative treatment methods, such as wearing proper shoes or foot exercises, are enough to combat foot conditions like hammertoe. It may be the case where hammertoe correction by surgery is required to target this condition.
Here are five signs to consider if you may need to schedule an appointment with your doctor to receive hammertoe surgery:
Wearing Shoes Is Painful
Wearing comfortable shoes is one of the most important remedies to combat hammertoe and can help you recover. Doctors recommend this option because proper footwear effectively targets hammertoe. Typically, it is advised to wear shoes half an inch longer than your longest toe.
However, sometimes this form of hammertoe treatment is not successful if wearing shoes exacerbates the pain. After taking the advised protocol from your doctor, it is essential to notice if it is difficult to walk around. If so, then that is a red flag that it is time to consider surgery as the next step to recovery.
Hammertoe Pain Doesn’t Subside
Hammertoe pain can be excruciating, and it is crucial to practice proper treatment methods to combat this. Another remedy that doctors recommend is taking anti-inflammatory medication to “help relieve pain and swelling.” It can be the case where you may still be in discomfort after taking the prescribed dose. If your pain worsens, that is a red flag that your condition needs further attention.
Severe Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition in the foot that forms from various risk factors, including outdoor sports. Other activities, such as occupations that require a lot of foot movement or walking in a particular gait, also pose the risk of developing this injury. Resting ice on the affected area of the foot or custom orthotics are different ways to recover from this condition.
If your plantar fasciitis is left untreated or you cannot alleviate the pain, it is time to consider further hammertoe treatment. The next step would be to notify your doctor of the severity of your pain. Doing so can confirm if your injury is severe enough to require surgery.
X-Ray Results
Requesting an x-ray examination on your foot is crucial if you believe that your injury is worsening. Your doctor can assess the condition to determine if you are eligible for foot surgery or if you should try conservative methods first. It also is a way for your doctor to examine the bone where the hammertoe is located.
Bunion Condition Worsens
Mayo Clinic defines a bunion as “a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe.” Bunions can be caused by various factors, including deformities during birth or the genetic makeup of the foot. If the condition worsens over time after an initial doctor’s appointment to target the bunion, you will need to request a follow-up to examine the foot.
Diablo Foot and Ankle provide state-of-the-art medical services to assess your needs if you believe that you have hammertoe or bunions forming. You can consult with one of our staff today to schedule an appointment! We are happy to have you!
Common Podiatry Questions
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
What does a Podiatrist treat?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the feet. They can treat conditions such as ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis.
What’s the difference between a Podiatrist and Orthopedist?
A Podiatrist and Orthopedist are very similar to each other in many ways. They use most of the same tools and treat a lot of the same conditions. The main difference between the two is their medical training. Podiatrists are trained exclusively on the foot and ankle, whereas the Orthopedic is trained on the whole body with an additional year of training on the foot and ankle.
Where are your Podiatry clinics located?
At Diablo Foot & Ankle, we treat our foot and ankle patients in two main clinic locations in Walnut Creek and in Antioch California. Dr. Eman Elmi and Dr. Shayan Esspoor are Board Certified Podiatrists who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders.
