Cosmetic Foot Surgery For Hammertoes And Bunions
The hammer toe is a deformation in the second, third, fourth or fifth toes of the foot, which consists of the flexion of one or several of the joints that form each finger. The hammer toe is a direct consequence of having bunions because of hallux valgus on the feet and may worsen over time if not appropriately treated. The final solution for the treatment of bunions and hammer toe is the counteractive surgical bunion and hammertoe surgery.
Bunion And Hammertoe Surgery, what is there to know?
The deformities in the toes, caused mainly by the bony deviation caused by the bunions, are today, the reason for a large number of consultations with specialists in traumatology. These deformations can be isolated; only one of them can be presented, or be associated with other deformities or alterations in the foot or toes.
Before explaining what the bunions, the hammer toe or the hallux valgus are, it is essential to know that the four small toes of the foot are the ones that will suffer from hammer toes. These toes consist of three bones each, called phalanges. These bones are called proximal phalanx, middle phalanx and distal phalanx. The great toe consist of two bones called proximal and distal phalanx.
WHAT IS A HAMMER TOE?
Generally, the toes are in the extended position. However, when there is a pressure exerted on the toes, it can cause one or more joints to be flexed. This pressure can be generated in a vast majority of cases by the bony deviation (hallux valgus) that causes the identified and annoying bunions. As a result of this, the toes are curved. When the toes are curved, they are called hammertoes or claw toes. Its denomination will depend on the joint that is flexed.
TYPES OF HAMMER TOES
In early stages of the deformity, this can go unnoticed, since the joint is still flexible and can adapt perfectly to the shape of all types of footwear. However, little by little the deformity progresses and reaches a point where the joint increases its rigidity, which can make the symptoms worse. Depending on the rigidity or flexibility of the hammertoes, we can differentiate three types:
- Flexible Hammer Toe: Toe deformity is appreciated, but when we manipulate or exert pressure on it, the deformity is corrected.
- Semi Rigid Hammer Toes: when the deformity of the joints is partially remedied by force.
- Rigid Hammer Toes: when the deformation has already settled, and it is not possible to correct it by manipulations.
The foot and ankle specialists outlines the type of hammer toe that the patient has. When the doctor puts pressure on the joints, and the toe is stretched, it will be a rigid hammer toe. When the hammertoes become stiff, the only definitive treatment is surgical intervention. That is why it is essential to correct the deformation of hallux valgus that causes the bunions since in the long run it can also cause hammertoes and require a much more complicated surgery and recovery time.
WHY IS THE ETIOLOGY OF HAMMERTOE?
Hammer toe is an imbalance between the muscle and the tendon of the toes. This imbalance is causing the toe to flex.
THE APPEARANCE OF BUNIONS AND HAMMER toes:
Sometimes this imbalance appears in people with time due to mechanical changes in the foot. These changes may come from multiple factors such as:
- Use of Inappropriate Shoes: Narrow by the tip, so press the fingers. The use of tight footwear can cause contracture in the fingers. Also, the use of high heels can cause a hammertoe.
- Previous Injuries: As a consequence of an injury or old fracture in the fingers. The sequels that may remain can progress and be the cause of the hammer toes.
- Hereditary Factors: Sometimes there is an imbalance of muscle and tendon that is hereditary or, on occasions, having a more extended finger leads to deformation by not wearing appropriate footwear.
- Bunions: The deviation of the bone (hallux valgus) that causes the bunions may also be due to the development of the hammer toes.
ASSOCIATION OF THE BUNIONS WITH THE HAMMER TOES
When a person has a bunion, it manifests as a bump on the side of the toe (usually the big toe). A bunion is produced by a deviation in the first metatarsal (hallux valgus), which deviates instead of remaining straight, as it should be. To avoid that a bunion produces hammertoes, it is best to consult the specialist and, in the vast majority of cases, intervene the bunion and fix the deviation that causes it solving the problem as soon as possible. The longer the patient takes to resolve the aberration caused by the bunions, the more likely that there are more severe problems in the foot, such as hammertoes or claw toes.
BUNION AND HAMMERTOE SURGERY
When the bunion is overly developed and inflamed and is likely to cause the toes to start hammering, the patient should consider surgery to remove the bunion. The surgery consists of correcting the deviation of the bone, of preventing the hammer toe from occurring, in addition to eliminating the unpleasant discomfort caused by the bunion itself.