Hammertoes in Brandon, Zephyrhills, Sun City Center, Wesley Chapel, Or Riverview, FL
Our feet are incredibly important for our everyday routine—from walking up stairs to your morning run, to simply standing on your feet all day for work. Our feet do so much for us; unfortunately, we often don’t care for them properly until problems arise. One of the most common foot deformities we see at Total Foot and Ankle of Tampa Bay is hammertoes. This deformity affects one or both joints in the smaller toes, causing them to bend down like a claw. If you notice your smaller toes curling downward, this could be an early sign of hammertoes. Should you be concerned?
Just like bunions, hammertoes are progressive. This means the condition will continue to worsen, especially if you don’t adopt proper foot care. When a hammertoe is still flexible, it’s the perfect time to revamp your daily care routine to prevent it from worsening. This includes:
- Wearing properly fitted shoes with a wide toe box to avoid bunching or pressure on the toes.
- Avoiding narrow or tight shoes (and staying away from high heels).
- Applying protective padding or corn pads on the deformed joint to prevent friction against shoes, which can cause calluses.
- Stretching and flexing your toes to keep them limber and mobile.
- Discussing custom orthotics with our team to provide additional support for your feet.
While caring for your feet doesn’t have to be challenging, we also know that hammertoes may eventually require more advanced care from a qualified professional. That’s where Total Foot and Ankle of Tampa Bay and his experienced team step in. If you’ve never been officially diagnosed with a hammertoe but notice your smaller toes curling downward, it’s worth scheduling an evaluation at one of our offices in Brandon, Zephyrhills, Sun City Center, Wesley Chapel, or Riverview. You should also seek care if you notice structural changes in your feet or experience persistent pain.
Although surgery can often be avoided with proper at-home care, some patients may still require surgery to correct their hammertoe. If the deformity progresses to a rigid hammertoe (where you can no longer straighten the toe), surgery may be necessary. We only recommend surgery for severe cases that impact your daily routine and activities.