Hammer Toe Treatment Specialist
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Isak Badalov, DPM
Podiatrist & Foot Surgeon located in Kew Gardens, NY & Middle Village, NY
If your toe won’t straighten, or it keeps popping into a bent position, you most likely have a very treatable deformity called hammertoe. Experienced podiatric care specialist Isak Badalov, DPM, provides hammertoe treatment to return your toe to normal while preventing issues in the future. There are two offices in Kew Gardens and Middle Village, New York, so phone the one in your area or click on the online scheduler now.
Hammertoe Treatment Q & A
What is hammertoe?
Hammertoe is a foot deformity occurring in one or more of your small toes. With hammertoe, the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in the middle of the toe bends abnormally. Your toe remains in this position, looking like a tent when viewed from the side.
Hammertoe can cause stiffness and pain when you try to move your toe. It's also common to develop corns and calluses when your bent toe rubs against your shoe.
Hammertoe is just one condition that affects your toe joints. Bunions can occur in the joint at the bottom of the big toe. Mallet toe is another toe joint problem in which the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint at the end of your toe bends abnormally. With claw toe, both the PIP and DIP joints bend to make your toe look like a curled-in claw.
When might I need hammertoe treatment?
If you have an obvious toe deformity and suspect hammertoe, it's best to seek treatment sooner rather than later. In the earlier stage of hammertoe (flexible hammertoe), the joint still moves when you push on it.
If that joint remains bent long enough, however, it becomes permanent (rigid hammertoe). With rigid hammertoe, pain can be quite serious, and you can't wear most shoes comfortably.
Flexible hammertoe is much easier to treat than rigid hammertoe, which is why it's best to see Dr. Badalov now.
How does hammertoe treatment work?
Dr. Badalov examines your toe as well as the nearby toes and remainder of your foot to verify a hammertoe diagnosis. He may use X-rays to confirm changes in your joints. Your treatment options generally depend on the stage of your hammertoe.
If you have a flexible hammertoe, you may do well with physical therapy, custom orthotics, taping, padding, and changing shoes.
For rigid hammertoe, where your toe won't move at all, Dr. Badalov can perform corrective surgery. Hammertoe surgery can restore normal tendon and muscle balance while correcting the frozen joint.
After hammertoe treatment, Dr. Badalov recommends specific tips to help you avoid hammertoe again, such as avoiding tight shoes that curl your toes.
Under the expert care of podiatrist Isak Badalov, DPM, you can leave hammertoe behind very fast. Call the office or click the online appointment scheduling tool to arrange your visit now.
