Do’s and Don’ts for Dealing with Toe Deformities

At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, two conditions we often treat are hammertoes and bunions. Although most of our patients find these toe deformities easy to identify, they often don’t have all the facts about preventing and treating these disorders. Below are some do’s and don’ts to help minimize toe deformity issues and maximize your foot comfort.

Do: examine your feet and toes regularly to detect changes in their earliest stages. If you’re in the habit of evaluating the condition of your feet, you’ll be more likely to spot toes moving out of their normal position.

Don’t: delay getting a toe that looks like it’s bending under or drifting towards another toe evaluated by our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales. Although toe deformities can develop gradually, the best time to treat them is in their initial stages before they have started causing you significant discomfort. The foot doctor has more options, and you, the patient, have the best chance for an excellent long-term outcome if the defect is caught early. Make an appointment at our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799.

Don’t: make the mistake of thinking a hammertoe or bunion will correct itself. These are progressive conditions which means that without treatment they will only get worse, not better.

Do: be extra careful about your shoe choice. Footwear can be a significant factor in the development and progression of bunions and hammertoes. Shoes that squeeze toes together in narrow toe boxes or high heels that force the foot forward put pressure on toes that can exacerbate a bunion or hammertoe.

Do: be on the lookout for secondary problems like corns and calluses forming on the toe in places where footwear applies pressure because of the deformity. Use padding to cushion the vulnerable spots and prevent open sores from forming.