Although it may sound like a super sweet fight move most
likely pulled off by the Marvel character Thor, a hammer toe is anything but that. Hammer toe, and
also mallet toe, are deformities in the toe that cause it to bend at the joint.
If it bends at the joint nearest the nail, it is called mallet toe, at the
lower joint, hammer toe. Hammer toe and mallet toe are caused by in imbalance
in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that ordinarily keep the toe straight.
This irregular bend is usually caused by ill-fitting footwear, such as
high-heeled shoes or shoes that are too tight, trauma, such as a stub or a
break, or from an imbalance of the toe and foot muscles. The good news is that wearing
shoes that fit properly with the use of custom orthotic inserts can help to
treat hammer and mallet toe, alleviate pain, and prevent your condition from
worsening. To find out if custom orthotic inserts are the solution for your
toes, give us a call today. Dr.
Michael Horowitz will take you through a consultation and exam and evaluate the
best approaches to treating your symptoms.
Note
from Dr. Michael Horowitz: Hi everyone! Pesky hammer toes, mallet toes and
other deformities are so frustrating. If these toe changes are getting on your
nerves, let’s sit down and talk about some solutions. Toe spacers can be
helpful but won’t change the alignment and physical structure of your feet. I
will have exercises and stretches to recommend to you, and we will evaluate
your feet to determine the needs and benefits of custom orthotics. Do you have
more specific questions about hammer toes or mallet toe? I would be happy to
answer.
Cheers,
Dr. Michael Horowitz
Vancouver Orthotics, 604-737-3668
Dr. Michael Horowitz offers a 5-Step process for relief of hammer toe in Vancouver. 1) Consultation & postural examination, 2) Electronic gait scan analysis, 3D foot scan & biomechanical evaluation, 3) Custom orthotic fitting, 4) Orthotic dispensing, 5) Follow up care.
