It is easy to ignore a hammertoe as it develops gradually over time. However, the problem cannot be ignored anymore when it becomes painful. The problem can significantly disrupt your life without proper treatment and cause an immovable joint deformity that might only be corrected through surgery. Fortunately, Huntsville hammertoes specialists offer effective treatments to help you manage the condition. The condition is also avoidable several factors that increase your chances of developing the condition involve your lifestyle choices. Prevention is always better. So, learn how you can overcome hammertoe herein.
Get the Right Footwear
Most hammertoe cases are linked to poor footwear. You can easily get curled toes when you often wear poorly sized shoes. Get rid of those narrow and tight shoes and get the right size of shoes. Although many people assume to know, it can be a great idea to measure your feet by a medical expert to get your shoe size. Also, avoiding high-arched footwear is critical to prevent hammertoe or improve your existing symptoms.
Consider Custom Inserts
You might want to get fitted for custom-made inserts to get hammertoe relief. Talk to your podiatry about finding the right shoes or fitted orthotics to accommodate your unique structure and arches. Many minor hammertoe cases have been effectively managed through custom fitting. Remember that a simple toe pad can elevate the area between your toes, relieving the pressure and hence offering long-term hammertoe correction.
Finding Temporal Relief
You can ice your toes if you are experiencing swelling. Also, you can consider massaging your toes when the discomfort is flaring up due to activity. Massaging increases your toes’ circulation, which can provide temporary relief until you can get to your doctor. Additionally, you can take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to ease your pain and bring down the inflammation until you seek expert help. Only take the medications as directed by your pharmacist and seek help as soon as possible.
Use a Splint
You can consult your doctor about using a toe splint or a toe straightener to correct your hammertoe. The device can help you manage the hammertoe slowly but surely until the toes are flat and in their natural position. Make sure you regularly visit your podiatrist for assessment, monitoring, and adjustments to ensure the treatment works properly. Your provider can perform several hammertoe exercises during the visits to improve blood flow in your toes.
Do Toe Exercises
Ask your podiatrist about helpful toe exercises you can do regularly to manage your situation. Several activities can help you strengthen and stretch your toe muscles to keep your toes flexible. The exercises can improve circulation in your toes, facilitating healing. Also, exercises can be used alongside other treatments to improve the overall effectiveness and delivery of results.
Go for Surgery
Surgery often comes as the last option in managing hammertoe. Your condition can be worse, and conservative measures might not help. You might not be experiencing proper circulation in the affected toes, which might threaten more serious complications besides numbing sensations. Your provider will determine if you need surgery, so you must seek an expert diagnosis before taking matters into your hands.
An accurate hammertoe diagnosis is necessary before taking any measures. Get in touch with the Foot and Ankle Specialists podiatrists today to learn more about how you can overcome your condition.
