Board Certified
Foot & Ankle Surgeons
Bunions, hammertoes, mallet toes—as similar as some of these conditions might seem, there are plenty of differences that set them apart.
Chances are you usually don’t give much thought to the complex structure of your lower limbs. But did you know that each of your feet is home to 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 different muscles, tendons, and ligaments?
Here at Achilles Foot and Ankle Center, our experts can provide podiatric care for foot and toe deformities. From bunions to hammertoes, we are ready to assist you in getting relief from your symptoms and prevent the deformity from becoming worse. We will thoroughly evaluate the severity of your toe condition in order to create a unique treatment plan just for you.
Also known as hallux valgus, this condition develops when the big toe angles toward the other toes at the metatarsophalangeal joint—the joint where your toe connects to the foot. As the toe continues to shift into this unnatural position, you will begin to notice a bony bump in the inner edge of the foot. When left untreated, a bunion can begin to cause pain and keep you from being active.
This is a condition that typically—though, not always—affects the second or third toe. It will become curled in an unnatural way, instead of staying relatively flat as it should. This abnormal curl is the result of a very obvious downward bend at the toe’s second joint.
This condition is quite similar to hammertoes. It also features a single abnormal bend, but instead of afflicting the second toe joint, mallet toes take place in the third joint (the joint closest to the tip of your toe).
Now, when there are two abnormal bends – one at the second and one at the third toe joints – the condition is called claw toe (named as such on account of its resemblance to a hooked claw). Usually, claw toe happens in all four of your small toes at the same time, and is often caused by a neurological problem.
Need a Same Day Appointment? Call 1-804-273-1717
Beyond giving your feet an unnatural appearance, toe deformities can also cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult to do simple things like wearing your favorite pair of shoes or participating in regular activities. The risk of developing calluses is also heightened due to the toe’s unnatural positioning, which causes pressure and friction on those deformed parts of the foot.
Step on it! Get to Richmond Foot and Ankle Specialists in Richmond Virginia today. Call (804) 273-1717 for an appointment with our experts. They will assess your problem and recommend the best treatment for you.
