Providing Answers To Hammertoe Surgery Questions
A Toe Straightener May be The Solution For You
A Toe straightener is a corrective device used to help realign crooked toes, and is
especially useful in the treatment of conditions such as hammertoes. A hammertoe occurs when there has been pressure placed on the toe through ill fitting shoes, which causes the joints of the toe to become deformed and the toes to grow crooked.
When To Use Toe Splints or A Toe Straightener?
At the early stages of the deformation of the toes, splints can be used to correct the position of the joints and a toe straightener can help to relieve any discomfort and help to get the bones back into the right positions. They are of particular use following toe surgery, when it is important to keep the toes in the correct position to allow the healing process to take place.
A diagnostic check up with a foot specialist or doctor will help you to determine the nature of your condition. There are many different forms and construction materials, and each is designed specifically to keep different joints of the toes straight. A doctor will be able to suggest the correct type of device to use.
For problems involving more than one toe, there are models which can accommodate multiple toes. Many devices consist of elastic material which is worn over the whole foot, with straps to keep the toes in the correct place and to act as a splint. These can easily be accommodated within shoes, however it is important to ensure that the shoes worn have adequate room to move the toes, and are not those which caused the problem in the first place.
How A Toe Straightener Works
Many toe straighteners consist of a band to hold the toe in place, fixed to a base which sits under the ball of the foot. These models prevent movement and keep the toe in the correct position and are designed so as not to place any pressure on the affected joints.
For problems with the big toe, such as those resulting from bunions, a toe straightener that helps with restricting movement and holding the toe aligned straight will greatly alleviate the painful symptoms. They are designed to also reduce friction from the shoe, and avoid pressure being placed on painful parts of the toe.
Untreated foot problems, such as bunions and hammertoes, can be effectively and inexpensively treated if the problem is identified early on. As time passes, the problems become more acute and may require expensive surgery and periods of rehabilitation. Using a simple device to keep your toes in the correct position can prevent any unnecessary pain and discomfort, and will keep you out of the emergency room.
Anyone with diabetes or circulatory problems should first seek medical advice before using any hammertoe correction device which could potentially reduce blood flow to the extremities. So if you are diabetic, please see your doctor should you think you might need a toe straightener prior to use.