KH . ORG 19 shoes: “You can certainly wear your flashy shoes, but don’t make them the mainstay of your footwear.” At the onset of a hammertoe, doing toe-flexing exercises or using a strap that provides a cushioned barrier between the toes and shoe can help. “When it comes to overall foot care, a stiffer-soled shoe with a wider toebox is better,” said Dr. Rooney. “Shoes with a cushioned midsole provide shock absorbency and added comfort, which can help protect your joints. Over-the-counter orthotics from drugstores and custom orthotics can provide helpful support for flat feet or high arches.” Surgical relief Hammertoe surgery is considered a last resort, but if a hammertoe has worsened to the point of requiring surgery, Dr. Rooney will consider if the toe’s deformity is flexible or rigid. “A flexible deformity involves moving the tendon from the bottom of the toe to the top of the toe,” Dr. Rooney said. “A rigid deformity requires fusing the affected joint with pins, screws or other implants to keep the toe straight.” Kootenai Clinic physical therapist Lucas Hammond, who treats patients after foot and ankle procedures, typically sees patients a few weeks after hammertoe surgery. “We’ll work on mobilizing the joint while surgical incisions heal and ensure we’re not stressing those surgical sites,” Lucas said. “As time from surgery increases, we’ll focus on dynamic, more advanced exercises to help with walking and weight-bearing.” Steps togoodhealth Lucas said at-home exercises can help strengthen the feet and toes and help prevent conditions such as hammertoe. “It’s helpful to stretch your toes out with your hands,” said Lucas. “To improve the foot’s overall strength and balance, stand on one foot, place a hand on the counter to steady yourself and make a circular motion in the air with your other foot. Repeat this for 30 seconds three times on each side.” Whether treating toes, feet or ankles, Dr. Rooney approaches his practice by considering a patient’s entire story, not just the pain they are experiencing. “I care about my patients,” said Dr. Rooney. “I want to know their stories, their backgrounds and what led them to this point. Our feet are such an important part of maintaining an active, healthy life. Helping patients regain good foot and ankle health is the best part of my practice.” Hammertoe Relief You Can Try at Home Dealing with the pain and stiffness of hammertoe? There are three at-home exercises you can do to strengthen and increase the flexibility of your toes: Toe crunches with a towel. This exercise is done by laying a towel flat on the floor and gathering it beneath your toes 10 times, then pushing the towel outward 10 times. Flatten the towel and repeat this series three times. Toe raises. Place both feet side-by-side and slowly raise your heels, keeping your toes on the ground. Hold for four seconds. Repeat three sets of 10 for each foot. Toe taps. Gently extend your big toe toward the floor and flex your other toes upward. Hold this position for one second, then bring the raised toes back down to the floor. Repeat this 10 times. Round out the exercise by doing the inverse motion: Bring the big toe up as you keep the others on the floor and hold for one second. Repeat another 10 times. Leg and feet expertise In addition to foot complaints, Dr. Rooney specializes in ankle arthritis, lower extremity deformity, ankle replacements, flatfoot or high-arched feet, bunion surgery and many other ailments affecting the lower leg. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rooney, call Kootenai Clinic Orthopedics at (208) 625-6111 or the orthopedics office in Post Falls at (208) 625-6700. Ed Rooney, M.D.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIxMDA=