Hammertoe

Lowcountry Orthopaedic Sports Medicine - Charleston, SC

Injuries don’t keep office hours. When its urgent, get diagnosed and recover fast when you go straight to the orthopedic experts with Ortho After Hours.

As premier hip and knee replacement surgeons in Charleston, SC, Dr. Zimlich and Dr. Stem alleviate patient pain and discomfort using innovative techniques and technologies. Concentrating exclusively on knee and hip replacement, the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists operate at the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center and area hospitals per patient preference.

Top rated for eight years in a row as Charleston’s Choice for best orthopedic surgeons, countless of satisfied patients walk away with a pain free, natural feeling knee or hip. From custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing to the area’s first and only outpatient surgery center based robotic knee replacement program, patients trust Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists.

Signature services include:

  • Custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing
  • Same day robotic knee replacement program
  • Personalized joint replacement experience
  • Dedicated team of nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists
  • Proven outcomes for quick recovery and pain-free lives

Same day appointments are available at one of our convenient North Charleston, Summerville, or Daniel Island locations.

The Cause

Hammertoe results from shoes that don’t fit properly or a muscle imbalance, usually in combination with one or more other factors. Muscles work in pairs to straighten and bend the toes. If the toe is bent and held in one position long enough, the muscles tighten and cannot stretch out.

Shoes that narrow toward the toe may make your forefoot look smaller. But they also push the smaller toes into a flexed (bent) position. The toes rub against the shoe, leading to the formation of corns and calluses, which further aggravate the condition. A higher heel forces the foot down and squishes the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe. Eventually, the toe muscles become unable to straighten the toe, even when there is no confining shoe.

Treatment

New Shoes

Conservative treatment starts with new shoes that have soft, roomy toe boxes. Shoes should be one-half inch longer than your longest toe. Avoid wearing tight, narrow, high-heeled shoes. You may also be able to find a shoe with a deep toe box that accommodates the hammertoe. Or, a shoe repair shop may be able to stretch the toe box so that it bulges out around the toe. Sandals may help, as long as they do not pinch or rub other areas of the foot.

Toe Exercises

Your doctor may also prescribe some toe exercises that you can do at home to stretch and strengthen the muscles. For example, you can gently stretch the toes manually. You can use your toes to pick things up off the floor. While you watch television or read, you can put a towel flat under your feet and use your toes to crumple it.

Relief Options

Finally, your doctor may recommend that you use commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads to relieve symptoms. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a lack of feeling in your feet, talk to your doctor before attempting any self-treatment.

Surgical Treatment

Hammertoe can be corrected by surgery if conservative measures fail. Usually, surgery is done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic. The actual procedure will depend on the type and extent of the deformity. After the surgery, there may be some stiffness, swelling, and redness and the toe may be slightly longer or shorter than before. You will be able to walk but should not plan any long hikes while the toe heals, and should keep your foot elevated as much as possible.

Lowcountry Orthopaedics’ Foot & Ankle Team

William Corey, MD

William Corey, MD

Foot & Ankle Specialist

Hip & Knee Specialists

Fast forward to feeling better with Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons that specialize in joint reconstruction and hip and knee surgery.

Same Day Appointments

Same-Day Joint Replacement

The benefits of same-day total hip or knee replacement surgery include fast recovery, lower risk of infection, no risk of hospital-acquired illness, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients interested in same-day joint surgery should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Zimlich to review their medical profile for candidacy.

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