How to Treat Hammer Toe

A hammer toe is a toe that is unnaturally curled around another toe. Hammer toes can look bad and make it difficult to walk. Treating hammer toe can reduce pain and help make walking easier again. A few simple remedies will make you feel better and your feet ready for open toed shoes again.

Instructions

• 1

  Change footwear. If you wear shoes or boots that routinely compress your toes you can find yourself risking a hammer toe. A specific type of shoes can cause this effect such as very high heels. To help reduce your problems with hammer toes consider purchasing new shoes. A shoe with lower heels can help reduce pain and swelling.

• 2

  Wear shoe inserts. Inserts can help cushion your toes against stresses and strains. An orthotic insert can lessen pressure on your feet and make them feel better. Look for inserts that are recommended by doctors. A good orthotic insert will help reduce your risks of hammer toe and even cure the problem.

• 3

  Have surgery to release the tendon in the bone. If your hammer toe has progressed to the point where you can no longer get relieve from using new shoes or orthotics you may need surgery. Surgery can help make you feel better. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and patients can expect to be home within the day.

• 4

  Have surgery to remove part of the bone in the foot. If your hammer toes have progressed even further more surgery may be necessary. During this operation a surgeon will shave the bone down to help reduce the pressure that each toe is placing against each other. This surgery should cure your hammer toe problem.