Peninsula Foot and Ankle Clinic
Peninsula Foot and Ankle Clinic
Hammertoes
What are Hammertoes and What Causes Them in Port Angeles, WA?
Hammertoes are a bone deformity, causing toes to bend in a shape resembling a hammer. Hammertoes can develop due to an imbalance between ligaments and tendons. This imbalance causes the middle toe joint to protrude outward, resulting in a hammer-like shape. Hammertoes are most common on the second, third, or fourth toes.
Hammertoe Risk Factors
Your risk of developing a hammertoe increases when wearing narrow, pointed shoes.
The toes don’t have enough room to move and are crushed together. Eventually, the
toes don’t straighten out normally, becoming hammertoes.
What You Can Do for Mild Hammertoe Pain
You can follow several tips to get relief from mild hammertoe pain. Remember to:
- Switch to more comfortable, wider shoes
- Stretch each toe individually to keep toes flexible
- Wear cushions or pads inside your shoes
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
What to Do for Moderate to Severe Hammertoe Pain
If you suffer from moderate to severe hammertoe pain affecting your ability to wear shoes, stand, and walk, it’s time to see your podiatrist. There are several effective treatments to relieve hammertoe pain, including:
- Toe splints to realign your toes
- Custom-fit orthotics to correct muscle imbalances
- Custom-fit footwear to correct ligament and tendon imbalances
When to Consider Hammertoe Surgery
Our podiatrist may recommend hammertoe surgery if:
- Non-invasive methods haven’t provided enough relief from hammertoe pain
- Hammertoe pain is affecting your mobility
- Hammertoe pain is becoming more severe and is affecting your quality of life
How You Can Prevent Hammertoes
The easiest and most effective way to prevent hammertoes is to wear shoes with a wide-toe box. Wider shoes give your toes room to move and retain proper alignment.
Want To Know More About Hammertoes and Hammertoe Treatment?
To learn more about the causes, prevention, and treatment of hammertoes, talk with Dr. Austin Friswold at Peninsula Foot and Ankle Clinic in Port Angeles, WA. You can reach him in the office by calling (360) 457-1772, so call today.
Hours of Operation
Monday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Tuesday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm 01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Wednesday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm 01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Thursday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm 01:30 pm 05:00 pm
08:00 am - 01:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Weekend
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm
01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Tuesday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm
01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Wednesday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm
01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Thursday
08:00 am - 12:00 pm
01:30 pm 05:00 pm
Friday
08:00 am - 01:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed