Navigating life with hammertoe or mallet toe can turn simple steps into challenging tasks. At Best Foot Dr. NY, we provide tailored treatments for these toe deformities to help you regain comfort and function. This article discusses the differences between hammertoe and mallet toe and the available treatment options to improve foot health.
What Exactly Are Hammertoe and Mallet Toe?
Both hammertoe and mallet toe are deformities that affect the joints of the toes, causing them to bend abnormally, but there are differences between them. Knowing these differences can help you get the proper care from your trusted Brooklyn podiatrist.
Hammertoe Deformities
Hammertoe generally targets the second, third, or fourth toes, creating a bend on your middle joint. This ends up causing your toe to adopt a curled or buckled position that leads to irritation and pain when it comes into contact with your shoes. Over time, this can cause painful corns or calluses since your toe continually rubs against the footwear.
Mallet Toe Deformities
On the other hand, mallet toe affects the joint closest to your toenail, only bending your toe downward at this joint. Unlike hammertoe, which impacts the middle joint, mallet toe makes it difficult to move your toe. It also causes localized pain at the tip of the toe, where you exert pressure when walking. This condition often requires careful mallet toe treatment to prevent worsening symptoms and increasing pain.
Common Causes and Symptoms
Hammertoe and mallet toe both have the potential to create an imbalance in your muscles, tendons, or ligaments that hold your toe straight. Over time, the tendons and ligaments that support the toe can tighten and pull your toe into a bent position. Common causes include:
- Improper Footwear: Tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes crowd your toes and force them into an unnatural position over time.
- Injury: Stubbing, jamming, or breaking a toe can make you more susceptible to developing these deformities.
- Genetic Factors: Sometimes, the structure of your foot can make you more prone to developing these conditions.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options In Brooklyn, NYC
At Best Foot Dr. NY, we start by evaluating your feet and reviewing your symptoms and footwear habits. We usually use imaging tests, such as X-rays, to assess the extent of the deformity. Based on the diagnosis, treatment options can range from conservative to surgical.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Before considering surgical interventions, try non-surgical strategies that could give you significant relief from mallet toe or hammertoe. They help with discomfort and may prevent further progression of the condition.
- Proper Footwear: Choose shoes with a spacious toe box that allows toes to lay flat, reducing pressure and pain associated with hammertoe and mallet toe deformities. Choose footwear that complements your foot structure while offering style and comfort.
- Orthotic Devices: At Best Foot Dr. NY, we customize orthotic devices. These inserts help redistribute pressure evenly across your foot, reducing strain on the affected toes, realigning them into a more natural position without invasive procedures.
- Exercises: Strengthening and stretching exercises are vital components of managing hammertoe and mallet toe. These exercises help with joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles around your toes. This can slow the progression of deformities and alleviate pain.
Surgical Treatments in Brooklyn for Hammertoe Relief
If non-surgical treatments don’t relieve your pain or your toe deformity worsens, we might recommend hammertoe or mallet toe surgery. We specialize in several surgical techniques tailored to your specific condition:
Minimally Invasive Hammertoe Surgery
With this advanced surgical option, we use tiny incisions to correct a hammertoe, reducing the trauma to surrounding tissues. You benefit from minimally invasive surgery with faster healing times, and you typically have less discomfort during your hammertoe correction surgery recovery. By precisely targeting the affected area, this procedure efficiently corrects your toe’s alignment while preserving as much of the natural structure as possible.
Tendon Relocation
We recommend this procedure for flexible hammertoe cases. Rerouting the tendons that control toe movement can correct the imbalanced pull on your toe that causes the bending. Tendon transfer hammertoe surgery helps realign your toe and also helps prevent further deformity.
Joint Resection or Fusion
Joint resection or fusion may be necessary if you have a more rigid hammertoe. Joint resection removes part of the joint to allow the toe to straighten, while fusion permanently joins the bones of the joint. Both procedures relieve pain and improve the alignment of your toe.
Take the Next Step Toward Pain-Free Walking
If hammertoe or mallet toe keeps you from enjoying everyday activities, it’s time to take action. At Best Foot Dr. NY in Brooklyn, our team is ready to help you find the right treatment, from conservative approaches to minimally invasive hammertoe surgery. Contact us today, and let’s get you back on your feet with the comfort you deserve.