If you do occasionally wear high heels, get the shoes professionally fitted so you have the best fit possible and avoid wearing heels over 2 inches high.
You should also use silicone or moleskin padding on any sore or tender toes when you are wearing shoes. These can reduce friction and prevent irritation.
Avoid rubbing the corn or callus with the pumice stone to the point where you draw blood or go below the level of the skin.
Consider using toe separators at night to help keep your muscles stretched.
Tight shoes and arthritis can both make hammer toes worse.
Inflammation, redness and tenderness Open sores Involuntary bending of the toes (contracture)
Genes that cause flat feet or high arches Neuromuscular diseases like diabetes which can put additional pressure on your toes
The podiatrist will physically examine your foot, although an x-ray or other imaging may be needed to make a diagnosis.
Ask your podiatrist if you should use splints or straps to straighten out your hammer toe. [7] X Research source
Never apply ice directly to your toes. This can damage the skin tissue. Instead, be sure to wrap the ice in a cloth before applying it to your toes.
If your pain is moderate, you may be able to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen to manage pain.
Most surgeries for hammer toe take a few hours. You’ll need someone to drive you home and you should plan to stay off of your foot for several days.
