Bunions and hammertoes are uncomfortable deformities that can make a weekend walk or putting on your favorite pair of shoes a painful, distressing experience. Unfortunately, in addition to being quite common, they also have a bad habit of worsening over time.
Syracuse Podiatry treats all manner of foot and ankle conditions, from the mundane and the typical to the rare and complex. When it comes to bunions and hammertoes, we have the experience to treat your feet and even prevent the issue from occurring in the first place. However, it’s always a good idea to keep patients informed, and that’s what this blog is about.
Bunion Blues:
- With bunions, your big toe takes a mischievous turn, angling inward towards its smaller neighbor as a bony bump forms at the base of its joint.
- Bunions affect around 23% of women and 8% of men, often due to genetics or footwear choices.
- Aside from aesthetic concerns, bunions can cause pain, inflammation, and difficulty wearing shoes.
Hammertoe Woes:
- Hammertoes involve your second, third, or even fourth toe developing a downward bend, resembling a tiny hammer.
- Tight-fitting shoes or genetic predisposition can be causes.
- While not always painful, hammertoes can lead to corns, calluses, and difficulty walking.
Treatment Tactics:
- First things first: Ditch the pointy pumps and narrow shoes!
- Go for wider styles with ample toe box space to prevent further deformity and allow your toes to breathe.
- Toe spacers, padding, and targeted stretches and exercises can also play a crucial role in non-surgical management.
- A 2019 study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery found that regular toe yoga exercises significantly improved pain and function in patients with bunions.
Surgical Solutions:
- In some cases, especially with advanced deformities or persistent pain, bunion and hammertoe surgery might be the optimal solution.
- A podiatrist can assess your situation and discuss surgical options like bunionectomies or hammertoe correction procedures, ensuring you understand the benefits and risks.
Don’t let deformities restrict your lifestyle and footwear choices. Instead, contact us! Expert DPMs Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, Dr. Anne-Louise Smith, Dr. Justin Muser, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin are ready to answer your questions. Our team treats a wide variety of podiatric conditions, and we would be delighted to assist.