Ditch the Fear Factor: Treat Hammertoes with Tiny Incisions, Not Big Scars!
Halloween should be filled with fun frights, but the thought of traditional hammertoe surgery—pins, plates, long incisions, and a painful recovery—can be truly terrifying! Fortunately, you don’t have to fear hammertoe treatment anymore. At Align Foot & Ankle, Dr. Thuy Ho-Ellsworth offers advanced minimally invasive surgery (MIS), providing a quicker recovery with no need for pins, plates, or screws. It’s a trick-free solution to treat hammertoes, so you can get back on your feet faster and more comfortably.
What Are Hammertoes?
Hammertoes occur when the middle joint of one or more toes bends abnormally, causing the toes to curl and form a hammer-like shape. Without treatment, this condition can worsen over time, becoming rigid and painful. Hammertoes can even lead to secondary problems like corns, calluses, and mobility limitations, making every step uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Hammertoes
If you’re experiencing hammertoes, you may notice these symptoms:
- Bending of the toe(s): Visible curling or abnormal bending of one or more toes.
- Pain or irritation: Especially when wearing shoes or moving.
- Corns or calluses: Caused by pressure and friction from the bent toes rubbing against shoes.
- Inflammation or redness: Irritated skin around the affected joints.
- Restricted movement: Difficulty in straightening the toes, especially in later stages.
Causes of Hammertoes
Several factors can contribute to the development of hammertoes, including:
- Improper footwear: Tight, narrow shoes (especially heels or pointed flats) can push your toes into an unnatural position.
- Muscle imbalance: When muscles weaken and can’t properly support the toes, they may contract and bend.
- Injury: Trauma to the toe or foot can affect the joints and lead to hammertoes.
- Genetics: Foot structure inherited from family can predispose you to hammertoes.
Preventing Hammertoes: Keep Your Feet Happy
Prevention is key when it comes to hammertoes. Here’s how to avoid the condition:
- Wear proper footwear: Choose shoes with a roomy toe box and good arch support to keep your toes aligned.
- Stretch your toes: Regular toe exercises can keep the muscles strong and flexible.
- Use custom orthotics: Dr. Ho-Ellsworth designs personalized orthotics to improve foot alignment and reduce pressure on the toes.
Scared of Surgery? Dr. Ho-Ellsworth’s Minimally Invasive Approach
At Align Foot & Ankle, we understand that the thought of traditional hammertoe surgery is daunting. Long incisions, painful recovery, and hardware like pins or plates can leave you spooked. That’s why Dr. Ho-Ellsworth specializes in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for hammertoes, offering a modern solution that’s far less scary.
With MIS, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth corrects the deformity through tiny incisions—no large scars, no hardware. This technique allows the toes to straighten with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissue, meaning less pain, faster recovery, and quicker return to your favorite activities. Best of all, this procedure is performed in our comfortable in-office surgical suite, giving you a more personalized experience without the hospital stay.
Advanced Diagnostics & Custom Orthotics at Align Foot & Ankle
Before jumping to surgery, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth thoroughly evaluates your condition using digital X-rays and gait analysisto assess the severity of your hammertoe and to create a tailored treatment plan. In many cases, custom orthotics can provide enough support and cushioning to relieve pressure on the toes, helping to prevent the condition from worsening. These orthotics are a non-invasive option that allows you to continue with your daily activities while reducing discomfort.
Don’t Let Hammertoes Haunt Your Steps!
Hammertoes don’t have to haunt you this Halloween or any other time of year. Whether you need custom orthotics, conservative treatments, or minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ho-Ellsworth at Align Foot & Ankle can help you step back into comfort and ease. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and cutting-edge surgical techniques ensure you get the best care possible without the scary side effects of traditional surgery.
Not in Austin? Here’s Help Near You!
If you or a loved one lives outside the Austin area, here’s a list of trusted doctors across the U.S. who also specialize in minimally invasive foot surgery:
Dr. Janale Beckford – Tampa, FL
@drjbeckford tampapodiatrists.com
Dr. Larry Best – LaGrange, Indiana
@drfootfixer_ larrybestdpm.com
Dr. Mark Forman – Scottsdale, AZ
azfootpain.com
Dr. Trevor Haynes – Sandy & Portland, OR
@doctorfeetgood Elitefaor.com
Dr. Ejiro Isohero – Tigard, OR
@correctivestep correctivestep.com
Dr. Lawrence Kales – Hudson, FL
@footdrljk footdrkales.com
Dr. Dean Kim – Frisco, TX
@drdeankim gtxfoot.com
Dr. Anna Kupriyeva – Albany, NY
@helpmyfeetdoc albanyfoot.com
Dr. Wendy Le – King of Prussia, PA
@drwendylepodiatrist @steppingstonefootankle
Dr. Bindu Mathew – Bensalem, PA
@mat.hew.dpm @footanklebensalem facpodiatry.com
Dr. Helene Nguyen – Hackettstown, NY
@feetnbeyond feetnbeyond.com
Dr. Ijeoma C. Nwuju – Washington, DC & Clinton, MD
@dr.ijeomanwuju drijeomanwuju.com
Dr. Vimal Reddy – Jacksonville, FL
firstcoastfootclinic.com
Dr. Carl Speer – Pensacola, FL
ecfootankle.com | @ecfootankle
Dr. Diltaj Singh – Sterling, VA
@singhfootdoc singhfootdoc.com | Singh Foot & Ankle Healing
Dr. Tagaloa-Tulifau – Lakewood & Carson, CA
@Tagaloatulifaufootankle doctortulifau.com
Dr. Lance Reeves – Franklin, TN @coolspringsfootcare
Dr. Vivian Iwu – Marietta, GA
@choicepodiatrycenter choicepodiatrycenter.com
Dr. Jenny Yu – San Leandro, CA
@bayarea_pod Bay Area Podiatry Group
Working together, we can help you find relief from hammertoes no matter where you are! If you’re in Austin, don’t hesitate to contact Align Foot & Ankle today.
Contact Align Foot & Ankle
- Phone: 512-882-4911
- Location: 1600 W 1600 W 38th St #408, Austin, TX 78731
