HAMMER TOE MAY BE THE RESULT OF A PLANTAR PLATE LIGAMENT TEAR

MASSACHUSETTS PODIATRIST, DR. MICHAEL THEODOULOU STATES, "A RENEWED LOOK AT TREATING HAMMERTOES IN THE SECOND TOE REVEALS IT MAY NOT BE CAUSED BY THE SAME FACTORS THAT CAUSE A HAMMERTOE IN OTHER TOES, SUCH AS THE PINKY TOE.  IT MAY BE THE RESULT OF AN ACUTE INJURY TO THE HAMMOCK-LIKE SCAFFOLDING BENEATH THE SECOND TOE (PLANTAR PLATE LIGAMENT) THAT SPREADS OUT THE TENSION PUT ON THE FOOT.  HAMMERTOES MAY START OFF AS A MILD DEFORMITY, BUT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME IF LEFT UNTREATED.  PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM A HAMMERTOE OFTEN HAVE PAIN OR IRRITATION ON THE AFFECTED TOE WHEN THEY WEAR SHOES AND CAN HAVE CORNS OR CALLUSES ON OR BETWEEN THE TOES FROM THE FRICTION OF THE SHOES.  BUT, WHEN A PATIENT SUFFERS A PLANTAR PLATE LIGAMENT TEAR, THE SENSATION IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS INTENSE PAIN IN THE BALL OF THE FOOT.  THE SECOND TOE TENDS TO APPEAR BENT UPWARDS LIKE A HAMMERTOE AND MAY EVEN BE RED AND SWOLLEN."

AT ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS WE SEE THIS CONDITION VERY OFTEN AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES DO NOT REQUIRE SURGICAL INTERVENTION.  MY TORONTO FOOT CLINIC PRIDES ITSELF WITH AVOIDING SURGERY AND MEDICATIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.  LESS IS USUALLY MORE IN MOST CASES.  IF YOU OR A LOVED REQUIRES HONEST, COMPETENT ADVICE, FOOT CARE OR HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US AT 416-465-8737.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY DR. JOHN A. HARDY, RETIRED CHIROPRACTOR AND OWNER OF ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS.