When you’re dealing with hammertoes, there are many issues that you may run into. You might have pain and irritation from your toe rubbing against your shoes while you walk. The only way to cure a hammertoe is with the use of surgery. It’s important that you discuss surgery with your doctor and that you aren’t postponing it if it’s recommended by your podiatrist. Dr. Jennifer Busser and Dr. Laura Pickard at Norridge Foot Clinic in Chicago, IL, and serving Norridge, IL, can explain when hammertoe surgery is needed and what complications can come when you leave hammertoes untreated.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Hammertoes

When hammertoes are left untreated, you can be met with different complications. Hammertoe surgery from your podiatrist in Chicago, IL, and serving Norridge, IL, isn’t typically the first option that your doctor will recommend but may be necessary if other treatments don’t help to ease your pain. If your podiatrist does suggest surgery, it’s important that you don’t procrastinate so that you can avoid severe complications in the future.

With hammertoes, it can be difficult to straighten your toe, which leads to pain and irritation as it rubs against shoes and other surfaces. You can wear pads to cushion the toes and your podiatrist might recommend stretching your toes and using a splint to help straighten them. When a hammertoe is left untreated, the joints and tendons might begin to tighten and cause the toe to stay permanently bent. This can also be painful, and you might find that your toe is sore.

When your toe is constantly bent like this, it can also lead to extra pressure being placed on the bone of the toe instead of the pad, as intended. This can lead to you dealing with painful corns and calluses and you might find yourself missing out on some of your favorite activities. When you do treat your hammertoe with surgery, your podiatrist will manually straighten the toe and you’ll find that you have significantly less pain and that you’re able to walk normally each day. It’s important that you aren’t ignoring your hammertoes and that you decrease the risk of severe pain and tightness in your joints.

Contact Our Podiatrist Today

Make sure that you’re discussing how to treat your hammertoes with your podiatrist and what your best options might be. Contact Dr. Jennifer Busser and Dr. Laura Pickard at Norridge Foot Clinic in Chicago, IL, and serving Norridge, IL, to learn more about hammertoe surgery and if it might be necessary for you. Call today at (773) 625-2211 to schedule your appointment and to learn more about hammertoes and hammertoe surgery.