Hammertoes

Seek treatment for hammertoes if one of your toes remains bent or won’t lie flat. At his practice in the Randall Manor neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, offers holistic and minimally invasive treatments for hammertoes. After an exam, Dr. Jervis can develop a personalized care plan. Call the New York City area office to learn more about the treatment of hammertoes today, or book an appointment online.

What are hammertoes?

A hammertoe is a structural abnormality that prevents one of your toes from lying flat. It occurs when there’s an imbalance between the muscles and soft tissues that hold your toe straight.

Hammertoes affect people of all ages, but several factors may increase your risk, including a history of foot trauma and the type of shoes you wear.

What are the symptoms of hammertoes?

Symptoms of hammertoes include:

• A toe joint that’s stiff or hard to bend
• Pain at the top of your toe
• Corns, calluses, or blisters on top of your toe
• Redness and inflammation
• A burning sensation

When the hammertoe freezes, you might even have trouble finding shoes that fit comfortably on your foot. 

Should I see a podiatrist about hammertoes?

Make an appointment with Dr. Jervis if you have an abnormal bend in one of your toes and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, like ice and rest. That’s particularly true if you have toe pain or pain in the ball of your foot and it interferes with your mobility or quality of life. 

How are hammertoes diagnosed?

Dr. Jervis reviews your health charts and asks about your symptoms, including when you noticed the bend in your toe joint, if the joint is getting progressively stiffer, and if the pain is worse when walking or exercising.

Next, Dr. Jervis examines your toes and toe joints. He gently presses on the bend in your toe and moves it back and forth, checking its range of motion. Then, Dr. Jervis orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to capture photos of your bones, joints, and the surrounding soft tissues.

How are hammertoes treated?

Dr. Jervis treats hammertoes using holistic and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. He might recommend:

• Wearing roomier shoes that give your toes space to wiggle
• Custom orthotics
• Wearing shoe inserts or pads
• Stretches and exercises to strengthen your toes

If conservative treatments don’t provide lasting relief or your symptoms worsen, Dr. Jervis might recommend surgery. During hammertoe surgery, Dr. Jervis uses special tools to release the soft tissues preventing your toe from lying flat.

Call Aluko O. Jervis, DPM, to receive treatment for hammertoes today, or book an appointment online.