If you are suffering from hammertoes, you might be tempted to forgo treatment. After all, the condition may be causing you pain, but it’s not serious. Or is it?
As trusted Phoenixville foot and ankle doctors, we can tell you that a lot of complicated problems can start with the simplest of conditions. For example, untreated hammertoes can eventually lead to:
- Foot deformities. If the toes continually contract for an extended amount of time, there may be no way to straighten them without surgical intervention.
- Balance problems. People need their toes to be able to make sudden movements. If the toes are permanently bent, people can have trouble walking, running, and changing direction when they’re on their feet.
- Posture changes. A painful foot will often cause a patient to walk or move differently to avoid putting weight on the affected area. This, in turn, can lead to stress in another part of the body, such as the knees, ankles, or back.
- Corns and calluses. The top of the hammertoe will often rub against the inside of the shoe, causing irritation that eventually can develop into corns and calluses.
- Nerve injury. Although rare, ongoing pressure in or against the toes can result in nerve damage.
Since a hammertoe can cause you to feel pain in a number of areas, it’s important that your Media podiatrist takes a full-body approach to healing your feet. At Healthmark Foot & Ankle Associates, our Philadelphia-area foot care experts can advise you on many facets of your health, from diet and exercise to orthotics and prevention. Call us today at either one of our convenient locations to make an appointment for your first consultation: 610-565-3668 in Media or 610-933-8644 in Phoenixville.
Want a FREE guide to taking care of your feet? Click on the link on this page, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of our book The Foot Is Not an Island: Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency & How to Correct It.