1311 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Between 13th and Broad St on South St
Phone: (215) 471-0433
Fax: (215) 471-0430
You are welcome to text us at ‪(215) 645-7024‬. Please note that you may also receive calls from this number.
Our offices are currently OPEN, and we are accepting
new patients. Please contact the office of your choice to
schedule an appointment or for more information.
You MUST LEAVE A MESSAGE in order for us to call you back.
Available Wednesdays at our Bala Cynwyd office!
29 Bala Ave, Suite 114
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Phone: (484) 773-1711
Note: The Bala office is not wheelchair accessible
Hammer toe Diagnosis & Treatment
Hammertoes get their name due to the abnormal appearance of the toe, in which it bends down like a hammer. A hammertoe’s shape is formed by a deformed bending in the toe’s middle joint. There are many factors that play into how hammertoes form. Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, jamming, or breaking it, can make the toe more susceptible to developing into a hammertoe. Age and gender also influence the likelihood of getting a hammertoe. Women have also been known to be more likely to develop a hammertoe compared to men. You are also more likely to develop this condition as you age. Certain diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes, have been known to influence the likelihood of forming a hammertoe.
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Common Causes of hammer toes
The shoes that are most likely to cause hammertoe are high heeled shoes or shoes that are too tight in the toe box. Tight shoes will force your toes to crowd together in a curled position. This position will likely continue when you take your shoes off. Another cause of hammertoes is trauma. When you stub your toe, for example, you are increasing your chance of developing a hammertoe. This condition can be due to genetics or your foot structure in general.
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Hammertoes can be painful as well as incredibly uncomfortable. To help ease these symptoms, it may be beneficial to wear orthotics. Custom orthotics are used to help realign the toe structure and aid in the process of healing. Certain injections may be recommended by a podiatrist as well to help alleviate the pain. To prevent being afflicted by this condition, it’s recommended that you wear shoes that leave enough room for your toes and continually change your footwear as your feet change in size.
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To diagnose someone with hammertoe, your podiatrist will need to conduct a thorough examination of your foot. Your doctor may even order an x-ray to evaluate the bones and joints of your feet and toes.
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If you would like more information on hammertoes and how to best treat the condition, we recommend you speak with a board certified podiatrist for professional care and laser toenail fungus removal in Philadelphia.
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