Hammertoe in Tunisia
Hammertoe
People often blame hammertoe, a common foot deformity, on wearing shoes that squeeze your toes, such as shoes that are too short or high heels. However, hammertoe is also often the result of nerve damage caused by diseases like diabetes or alcoholism, which can weaken the muscles in your foot. Having hammertoe means your toes "claw," digging into the sole of your shoes and creating painful calluses. Hammertoe worsens without treatment and can become a permanent deformity over time.
Symptoms of Hammertoe
Your toes are bent upward (extension) from the joints at the ball of the foot.
Your toes are bent downward (flexion) at the middle joints toward the sole of your shoe.
Sometimes your toes also bend downward at the top joints, curling under the foot.
Corns can develop on top of the toe or under the ball of the foot.
Treatment
Toe deformities are usually flexible at first, but they harden in place over time. If you have hammertoe in an early stage, your doctor may recommend a splint or tape to hold your toes in proper position. Additional tips:
Wear shoes with soft, spacious toe boxes and avoid tight shoes and high heels.
Use your hands to stretch your toes and toe joints toward their normal positions.
Exercise your toes by using them to pick up marbles or crumple a towel laid flat on the floor.
If you have hammertoe in a later stage and your toes are fixed in position:
A special pad can redistribute your weight and relieve pressure on the ball of the foot.
Try special "depth" shoes that have an extra 3/8" depth in the toe area.
Ask a shoe repair shop to stretch a small pocket in the toe area to accommodate the deformity.
If these treatments don't help, you may need surgery to correct the problem. Surgical treatment for hammertoe includes:
Lengthening and rerouting tendons.
Shortening the phalanx bones.
Temporarily inserting a steel pin to maintain the toe's correct position until healing.
Surgical Risks of Hammertoe
Risks include nerve damage, infection, and stiffness. Recurrence of the toe deformity can occur, especially if you return to wearing ill-fitting shoes.