Hammertoes and Aging: How Foot Problems Change with Age

Your body changes as you age. Your joints can become stiff and painful, especially small joints like your fingers and toes. One of the most common problems associated with aging is hammertoes, a painful condition that can cause difficulty walking. Your podiatrist can help. Podiatrist Dr. John Hickey, in Levittown, NY, provides comprehensive foot care services, including treatment of hammertoes.

What You Need To Know About Hammertoes

A hammertoe is a common deformity in the toe joint that causes the toe to bend outward, resembling a hammer. It can be caused by an imbalance of the muscles or tendons in the toe or from wearing shoes that are too narrow or pointed, crushing the toes together.

Hammertoes are just one condition that can become more common as you age. The cumulative effects of aging, wearing poorly fitting shoes, carrying excess weight, and having chronic medical conditions can also lead to these common foot, ankle, and toe conditions:

• Bunions
• Plantar fasciitis
• Lateral ankle instability
• Arthritis in your feet, ankles, and toes
• Poor circulation into your feet, ankles, and toes
• Nerve issues in your feet, ankles, and toes

You must protect and care for your feet, especially as you age. Remember to:

• Wear wide shoes with plenty of room for your toes
• Stretch your toes individually with your fingers to maintain flexibility
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication

Your podiatrist can help you maintain healthy feet, ankles, and toes. Depending on the foot condition you are experiencing, your podiatrist may recommend:

• Custom footwear and orthotics to correct a tendon or muscle imbalance
• Splints and other devices to realign your toes and foot
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling in your toe joint
• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and swelling

Surgery may be indicated for certain conditions. The goals of surgery are to realign your feet and toes, restore proper function, and improve mobility.

Want To Know More About Hammertoes?

To learn more about hammertoes and how foot problems change with age, call podiatrist Dr. John Hickey in Levittown, NY. His office number is (516) 735-4545, so call today.