You may have heard that the fingers of people with joint hypermobility appear to have double phalanges. Although the toes that are affected by the deformity known as "hammer toe" look the same, they are actually bent involuntarily. It is a slow process that progressively gets worse and if left untreated, surgery becomes necessary. If you can recognize it early on, you can still retain some flexibility, but the joints start to get stiff and over time they can no longer be bent. This is why it is important to reduce the risk of this deformity developing and to receive prompt treatment.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Reduce the Risk of the Hammer Finger
Step 1. Wear non-constricting footwear
Choose those with a wide toe, low heel and that adapt to the shape of the feet. Opt for those models that leave about 1 cm of space between the fingers and the extremity when you are in a standing position; the forefoot must be well wrapped in the shoe. You should purchase them at the end of the day, when your feet are generally more swollen, to make sure they fit well in this situation as well.
If you sometimes have to wear high heels, opt for shoes made to measure by a professional, to enjoy the best possible comfort, and still avoid those with a heel higher than 5 cm
Step 2. Put on arch supports
See a podiatrist (the doctor who specializes in foot problems) and get a prescription for personalized orthotics. These are basically orthopedic supports to be inserted into shoes and which are made specifically for your feet; they are able to prevent the development of hammer toe or slow down its progression.
You can also use skin patches or silicone pads to apply to sore or sore toes when wearing shoes to reduce friction and prevent possible irritation
Step 3. Scrub the corns or calluses with the pumice stone
If you have these blemishes, painful areas or hard tissue, pumice stone is for you. First, soften the corns or calluses in hot water; then take the pumice stone and rub it on the hardened fabric to "smooth" it. When finished, apply a moisturizer to keep the area soft.
However, avoid rubbing the calluses until they bleed or reach the sensitive skin layer
Step 4. Practice foot stretching exercises
Strengthen your muscles to prevent hammer toe from developing. Stretch, fold and straighten your fingers all together; also move each finger individually and massage them while stretching. Practice "curling" and stretching each finger.
Consider using a spacer when you sleep to help your muscles stretch
Step 5. Consider the risk factors for this deformity
Since hammer toe is typically caused by an imbalance between the tendons and muscles of the feet and their toes, it often develops over time. Age, possible trauma and familiarity can increase the risk of suffering from this disorder; it is a disease with a genetic component and is more common among women than men.
Tight shoes and arthritis can aggravate this problem
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing and Treating the Hammer Finger
Step 1. Look for symptoms
You may notice corns and calluses on the toes leading to hammer toe formation. If you do, you probably feel pain, especially when wearing constricting footwear. Other symptoms are:
- Inflammation, redness and tenderness;
- Open sores
- Involuntary bending of the fingers (contracture).
Step 2. Consider the odds of developing this disorder
Unsuitable shoes are one of the main factors that are under your control. If you often wear high-heeled shoes that are too tight or don't have enough room for your toes, you are more likely to develop this deformity. Other conditions that can lead to hammer toe are:
- Genetic factors that cause flat feet or high arches
- Neuromuscular diseases, such as diabetes, which add extra stress to the fingers.
Step 3. Get a diagnosis
If you experience foot pain or symptoms of hammer toe, see a specialist. This is a crucial step, especially if you notice that your fingers are bending involuntarily; timely treatments can avoid the need for surgery.
The podiatrist physically examines the foot, although an X-ray or a series of other imaging tests are required to make a firm diagnosis
Step 4. Protect your fingers
If you have sore corns and calluses, insert soft pads to keep your fingers safe from further irritation. you can also use over-the-counter patches and not necessarily special aids. The podiatrist can prescribe custom insoles (orthopedic devices) to put in your shoes, which keep the muscles and tendons active.
Ask the specialist if you need to use a splint or bandages to straighten your hammer toe
Step 5. Apply an ice pack
If the skin surrounding the deformity is red or inflamed, or if you feel pain when standing, place ice on your finger to numb the area and reduce swelling. apply it several times a day or when you notice the joint is swollen.
Never place ice directly on the skin, otherwise you can cause damage; instead wrap it in a cloth before holding it on your foot
Step 6. Get injections
If you have severe inflammation or pain, you can take corticosteroid therapy that reduces inflammation and helps you manage pain. This treatment is often used in patients suffering from both arthritis and hammer toes.
If the pain is moderate, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, to manage the discomfort
Step 7. Consider having surgery
If you don't see any improvement with other treatments, your podiatrist may recommend that you have an operation to fix the problem. The surgeon administers a local anesthetic to realign and correctly position the bone, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the finger; he can also insert screws, wires and plates to keep the foot in the correct position during the healing process.
