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What Are Hammertoes?

How your podiatrist in Bellingham, WA, can help if you have a hammertoe

If you’ve ever suffered the pain of hammertoes, you already know how they can impact your life. A hammertoe can make it painful to put on shoes, put weight on your foot, and walk around. A hammertoe can keep you from enjoying your life.

The good news is, your podiatrist can help you get relief from hammertoes. Dr. Michael Sherwin at Family Foot Care Of Bellingham in Bellingham, WA, offers a wide range of foot care services, including treatment for hammertoes.

So, what is a hammertoe? It’s a bone deformity in your toe joint, causing your toe to bend and the big toe joint to thrust outward. The deformity can resemble a hammer.

A hammertoe can be caused by an imbalance of the tendons or muscles in your toe. It can also be caused by wearing shoes with a narrow toe box. Your toes become crushed together, and one of your toes bends towards the others, causing a hammertoe.

You can do a lot to prevent a hammertoe, and one of the most important solutions is to wear shoes with a wide toe box, so your toes have plenty of room. You can also:

  • Wear wedges, cushions, or pads inside your shoes to eliminate friction
  • Stretch your toes with your fingers to maintain flexibility
  • Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication


If you are suffering from hammertoe pain, the best thing you can do is to visit your podiatrist. Dr. Sherwin may recommend:

  • Custom made 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 decrease pain and swelling


Surgery may also be an option in some cases. The goal of hammertoe surgery is to realign your toe joint, eliminating the hammertoe. Dr. Sherwin can discuss this option with you.


To learn more about hammertoe treatment and other foot care services, call Dr. Michael Sherwin of Family Foot Care Of Bellingham in Bellingham, WA, at (360) 738-9797. Call now!

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