Hammertoe Alternative Treatment

Hammertoe results when prolonged pressure on a toe deforms it into a clawlike shape. It is one of the most awful foot problems that mostly afflict women because the regular donning of constricting, pointed-toe shoes directly contribute to the hammertoe phenomenon. Although hammertoe can form in any toe or in multiple toes, it most commonly occurs in the second toe, next to the "big" toe.

Stretching and Massage

Hammertoe develops predominately because of muscle or tendon instability in the feet. It requires prompt treatment to prevent it from getting worse to the point where surgery becomes necessary. Noninvasive intervention measures to reverse hammertoe are available and are quite effective. Some of these include wearing comfortable shoes, exercising and stretching the toes, massaging the feet, as well as walking barefoot around the house.

Yoga toes is a simple toe-stretching device with beneficial effects for hammertoes. Sliding the toes into the tool helps to improve toe flexibility and blood circulation. It also realigns the bones in the foot, stretches out the Achilles tendon, and alleviates tension and pain related to hammertoe. Kneading the soft tissues of the feet through massage therapy helps them to function normally. It boosts the healing of soft tissue injuries such as hammertoe. Painful and swollen feet often accompany hammertoes. Massaging the feet helps to relieve these by diluting muscle tension and soreness.

Foot Care and Toe Exercises

Diagnosing hammertoes early on is beneficial in itself. Using arch supports and prescription shoe inserts can keep hammertoe problems from progressing. Choosing loose fitting socks and wear spacious shoes to keep hammertoes at bay. They stop the toe knuckles from constantly chafing against the inner shoe walls. Parts of the feet that rub against the inside of shoes can be softened with corn pads to prevent calluses and blisters. Alternatively, if hammertoes are still flexible in the early stages of development, they can be leveled out through splinting them for some time.

There are some basic toe exercises to expand and tone up the muscles that can be done at home to speed up the healing process. For example, gently stretching the toes with the fingers is helpful in the beginning stages of hammertoe. And so is using the toes to try to grab things up off the floor. Putting a towel level under the feet and using the toes to ruffle it while watching television or reading is another useful toe exercise. When the development of hammertoe is quite progressed, surgical intervention is often needed to alter the affliction.

Minimal Incision Procedures

To diagnose hammertoe requires a physical examination by a doctor. Sometimes a surgical procedure, applying minimal incision techniques to remove some of the bone, is called for to treat the condition properly. An alternative way to remedy hammertoe is by stretching the tissue using a minimal incision procedure.

The aim of this alternative operation is to relax the constricting tissue so that the hammertoe can loosen and unbend. This way the toe can regain its ability to move as it should.