Dr.
Henry has successfully treated these conditions for over 20 years.
Call
361-576-2111 to have
relief from your painful condition! |
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LITTLE
TOES
Your little toes help balance your body when
you move. As your foot flattens, the little toes bend to grip the
ground. Then they straighten, acting like levers to help your foot
so you can walk, run, or dance. You may develop a problem known as a
hammer toe. Hammer toes are little toes that buckle or curl under.
Over time, these toes may hurt and make movement more difficult. But
you don't have to live with pain. With Dr. Henry's help, even
severe hammer toes can usually be treated so you can move more
easily. |
What
are Hammer Toes?
In general, the term
"hammer toe" describes a buckling of any of the toe joints. Joints
at the end or middle of the toe, as well as the joint near the ball
of the foot, may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a
muscle imbalance or tight tendons. Hammer toes vary in severity and
in the number of joints and toes involved.
Types of Hammer
Toes
Hammer toes may be flexible or rigid,
depending on the joint's ability to move. A flexible joint may
become more rigid as you age. |
|
A Flexible
Joint
You can straighten a flexible
hammer toe with your fingers. Although they look painful,
flexible hammer toes may not hurt. |
 | |
A Rigid
Joint
A rigid hammer toe cannot be
moved, even with the fingers. Rigid joints may cause pain and
distort foot movement. This may put extra stress on the ball
of the foot, causing a callus (a corn on the bottom of the
foot). |
 | |
Physical Exam
Dr. Henry will examine all your
toes, testing whether or not buckled joints can be moved. Your feet
will also be checked for any skin changes. Corns (a buildup of dead
skin cells) often form between curled toes or on top of buckled
joints where shoes rub. If irritated, corns may turn into open
wounds and become infected.
Testing
X-rays may be
taken of a curled toe to show the amount of deformity. An
x-ray may also show whether or not the joint is affected by
arthritis. |
 | |
|
TREATING HAMMER TOES
If
your symptoms are mild, changing shoes may be all the treatment you
need. If your symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed. The type
of procedure often depends on whether your toe joints are flexible
or rigid. |
Flexible
Joints
To release a buckled joint, the
tight tendon
(often the bottom one) is cut and repositioned. |
 |
Rigid Joints
A
piece of bone may be removed to help straighten a rigid toe. Part of
the contracted joint is cut away. The "gap" fills in fibrous tissue.
The toe heals in a straightened position. |
 |
AFTER SURGERY
All
hammer-toe surgeries are out-patient procedures. In fact, you will
be able to bear weight on your foot by the time you go home. For
best results, however, you may need to wear a surgical shoe for a
few weeks.
The First Few
Weeks
Your foot will be bandaged after surgery,
and you may need to wear a surgical shoe to support the foot during
healing. Dr. Henry may recommend a special dressing to limit
swelling. Elevation and ice can also help. For best results, raise
your foot above heart level and apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes.
Protect your skin by placing a towel between the ice pack and your
skin.
Proper
Shoes
Help make surgery a success by wearing
shoes that fit your feet. Shoes should be long enough and wide
enough to keep all your toes comfortable. |
