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Suggest Treatment For Redness And Swelling On The Arched Hammer Toe On The Left Foot
Question: My wife has an arched hammer toe on her second toe of her left foot. She says she experiences some intermittent pain under the nail. She had an infection five years ago which went away. That hammer toe has no swelling or redness, just some pain under the nail. What might be the cause of this and how could she get rid of the problem permanently?
Thanks.
Please see attached photo of toe. Podiatrists in the past have said they don't see infection.
Thanks.
Please see attached photo of toe. Podiatrists in the past have said they don't see infection.
Brief Answer:
If her pain is only related to her nail, then antifungal creams, else permanent treatment by surgery is suggested once diagnosed as early treatment prevents further complications
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I am Dr.Ahmed Aly
Thanks for using HealthcareMagic,
I had gone through your question and the image and understand your concern..
I hope your wife's toe feels better soon, hammer toe is a common issue sometimes it is present without pain at all for life. It could be present at birth from the beginning. the main reason of it is the dislocation of your middle joint of her toe.
Many causes could cause such dislocation like wearing shoes that are tight or do not fit, trauma or injury, arthritis, high foot arch, tight tendons or ligaments in foot, bunion ( which is when your big toe points inward toward your second toe ) .most of hammer toe cases are treatable.
She may begin with wearing flexible that properly fits her foot, toe pads, gentle finger stretches, creams and gels will help in her pain, I think if her pain is only under her finger nail antifungal topical creams will be helpful and will make her feel fine.
In severe cases, orthopedics may choose surgical repair, in chronic painful cases but I do not want you to worry as such surgeries are done in outpatients clinics and patients go home on the same day. It is better to treat it once diagnosed as early treatment may prevent further complications.
Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards
If her pain is only related to her nail, then antifungal creams, else permanent treatment by surgery is suggested once diagnosed as early treatment prevents further complications
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I am Dr.Ahmed Aly
Thanks for using HealthcareMagic,
I had gone through your question and the image and understand your concern..
I hope your wife's toe feels better soon, hammer toe is a common issue sometimes it is present without pain at all for life. It could be present at birth from the beginning. the main reason of it is the dislocation of your middle joint of her toe.
Many causes could cause such dislocation like wearing shoes that are tight or do not fit, trauma or injury, arthritis, high foot arch, tight tendons or ligaments in foot, bunion ( which is when your big toe points inward toward your second toe ) .most of hammer toe cases are treatable.
She may begin with wearing flexible that properly fits her foot, toe pads, gentle finger stretches, creams and gels will help in her pain, I think if her pain is only under her finger nail antifungal topical creams will be helpful and will make her feel fine.
In severe cases, orthopedics may choose surgical repair, in chronic painful cases but I do not want you to worry as such surgeries are done in outpatients clinics and patients go home on the same day. It is better to treat it once diagnosed as early treatment may prevent further complications.
Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you very much Dr. Aly. What is your opinion of her toe, the severity of the hammer toe? Is the slight redness around the toe an issue? Is it from rubbing on the next toe? She feels the pain when tapping onto the nail. Do the nails look infected with fungus? She would consider surgery if she would not be disabled for too long.
Brief Answer:
For my patients i only recommend it when arthritic pain is severe and chronic.
Detailed Answer:
For my patients i only recommend it when arthritic pain is severe and chronic even with medications and stretching manipulations .
I think it is more likely due to wearing high heels or tight shoes in your wife case and yes i think she have a kind of mild fungal infection under her nail tips and corners .
The redness may be due to constant compression done by her shoes on her skin , i may recommend surgical repair for her in a specialist orthopedic outpatient clinic and rest only for 2 days and she will not be disabled at all , only rest for letting her surgical incision heal properly .
use anti fungal ointments for a week twice a day and then visit her orthopedic and i hope she feels better soon and she wont need to worry about it . nowadays such interventions maybe done in a 15 min procedure .
For my patients i only recommend it when arthritic pain is severe and chronic.
Detailed Answer:
For my patients i only recommend it when arthritic pain is severe and chronic even with medications and stretching manipulations .
I think it is more likely due to wearing high heels or tight shoes in your wife case and yes i think she have a kind of mild fungal infection under her nail tips and corners .
The redness may be due to constant compression done by her shoes on her skin , i may recommend surgical repair for her in a specialist orthopedic outpatient clinic and rest only for 2 days and she will not be disabled at all , only rest for letting her surgical incision heal properly .
use anti fungal ointments for a week twice a day and then visit her orthopedic and i hope she feels better soon and she wont need to worry about it . nowadays such interventions maybe done in a 15 min procedure .
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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