How Do I Cure Hammertoes?
Hammertoes is a condition where one or several toes overlap with one another. In one study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), infants with hammertoes were taped and 94 percent recovered from the condition.
In adults, hammertoes may be congenital or caused by wearing shoes that are too small or high heels that squash the toes. Wearing special sandals that separate each toe, physical therapy or, in some cases, surgery can cure hammertoes.
Other People Are Reading
-
Who is Likely to Get Hammertoes?
-
In the 2004 NIH study, almost all infants were successfully treated by an in-office procedure of taping the overlapping toes to keep them separated. Infants of both sexes were included in the study.
Women who wear high heels actually create hammertoes as these shoes do not provide adequate room for all the toes to be flat and apart. Often in high heels, the big toe will overlap the second toe. Men are less likely to have hammertoes as they tend to wear shoes that do not force overlapping of their toes.
Treatment
-
There is a popular flip flop-style sandal that is designed to help cure hammertoes. Sold online and in some stores, these flip-flop shoes have material that separates each toe so that the toes cannot overlap. No studies have been published to determine if these shoes cure hammertoes.
Seeing a chiropractor, physical therapist or massage therapist to manually adjust and work the muscles of the feet might help. A PT could assign specific physical therapy exercises to help hammertoes uncurl: it will depend on each individual's condition. Surgery, such as arthroplasty, might be advised if you have a severe case of hammertoes.
-
Prevention
-
Avoid wearing any shoes that do not give you room for your toes to be flat and separate. High heels often crowd the feet and force the toes to overlap. Regularly exercise your feet barefoot by doing physical therapy exercises such as picking up large marbles with bare feet or rolling up a small towel on the floor with one foot. Each exercise builds the small muscles in the feet to prevent hammertoes.
If you have a severe case of hammertoes, see your doctor for advice.
-
