Feel free to browse our website to educate yourself on various podiatric conditions we see on a daily basis in our office. You may use the "Patient Library" function on the lower left to look at common topics, or use the search function for other topics not listed.
We want our patients to be informed about podiatric problems and treatments, because informed patients make better decisions about their health and well being. That is why we've included this extensive section on our web site covering the full array of topics associated with podiatry and podiatric diagnoses and treatments. We encourage you to look through these pages whenever you have an interest or concern about your feet.
In addition, the following websites are hightly recommended for more podiatric information:
- American Podiatric Medical Association
- Florida Podiatric Medical Association
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
- American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons
- Foot Physicians.com
- American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine
- American Board of Podiatric Surgery
- American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine
Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and require surgery. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
The primary causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance.
Treatment for the condition typically involves wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.
In severe cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.