Hammertoe is a common disorder of the foot. It is a condition in which the toes of one or both feet are bent toward the big toe. Bakersfield hammertoe usually develops due to an infection of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, which runs along the bottom of each foot. The term hammer toe refers to a bony growth on the side of a toe that interferes with normal function.
Patients with hammertoe are usually middle-aged or older, and they often have other foot problems as well. The hammertoe symptoms may vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include:
A bent or twisted toe
The most common symptom of hammertoe is a bent or twisted toe. The bent or twist happens due to inflammation in the ligaments of the foot and toes, causing them to stretch too far out from their normal position. It can cause swelling and pain around your toes, especially if they are weak or skinny compared to others on your body.
Loss of flexibility
If you have a hammertoe, it can affect your walking gait and cause you to lose some of your leg’s natural flexibility and strength in your arch muscles (the muscles that support your arch). It can make it harder for you to walk comfortably and stand up straight without feeling sore or tight after using these muscles too much over time.
Painful numbness or tingling
If you have a hammertoe, you may experience numbness in your toes or on your heels when you put pressure on them usually, such as when walking or standing up from sitting down. You may also experience pain in these areas when you put pressure on them, like when walking barefoot outside or climbing stairs indoors.
Swelling and inflammation around the toe
The most common symptom is swelling and inflammation around the toe. That is due to pain caused by irritation to blood vessels under the skin surface, which causes redness and swelling around your toe. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can treat this problem. If you experience severe pain when moving or sleeping, you should contact your doctor immediately, as this can indicate an underlying condition that needs treatment by a specialist.
Loss of motion in the toes
In this case, there is a partial loss of motion in one or more toes due to inflammation and swelling. The symptoms are similar to arthritis because they involve stiffness and swelling that affects movement at the joint between bones in your foot (metatarsophalangeal joint).
Pain when you step on it
Pain, when you step on your toe, is a sign of hammertoe. When you step on your toe, you feel pain in that area. It could be sharp or dull, but the discomfort will always be. If you have not had treatment yet, you must visit your doctor as soon as possible so that they can check if this is something serious.
Hammertoe can affect your ability to walk comfortably, leading to pain and irritation. You may also experience swelling in your foot and ankle and increased friction between your toes and shoes. The only way to get rid of this problem is with surgery or treatment from a doctor specializing in hammertoe problems. If you have hammertoe that is painful enough to interfere with your everyday activities, contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center to talk with your doctor about treatment options.
