Expert Urges Early Treatment Of Hammertoes To Avoid Complications

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Living Right Hospital, Benin City, Dr Osaro Agbonlajor, has advised Nigerians with cases of hammertoes to seek early treatment to avoid complications.
 Agbonlahor gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Benin City last Tuesday.
 He defined hammertoe as a foot condition where the toe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint.
 “Hammertoes and mallet toes are foot deformities that occur due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight.
 “The type of shoes one wears, foot structure, trauma and certain disease processes can also contribute to the development of these deformities.
 “If you have a more severe case of hammertoe or mallet toe, you might need surgery to get relief.
 “Mallet toe affects the joint nearest to the toe nail, while hammertoe usually occurs in its victim’s second, third and fourth toes,”Agbonlahor said.
 According to Agbonlahor, relieving the pain and pressure of hammertoe and mallet toe may involve changing of footwear and wearing shoe inserts.
 The physician also identified an abnormal bend in the joints of one or more of the toes and the painful or difficult movement by the affected toe as symptoms of hammertoes or mallet toes.
 He said that others were corns and calluses, which could result from the toe rubbing against the inside of the shoes.
 Agbonlahor said the causes of hammertoe and mallet toes were high-heeled shoes or footwear that were too tight in the toe region.
 ”This can bring about an injury when you stub, jam, break a toe or bring about an abnormal balance to the toe muscles,” he said. 
He said that victims could avoid complications with the application of appropriate medical care on the affected toes.