Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and require surgery. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance.
Treatment for the condition typically involves wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.
In severe cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.
Bunions are bony protrusions that develop at the base of your big toe. The bony bumps form at your joint as your big toe pushes into your second toe, going underneath or over the top of the second toe in its later stages. The condition is not one that goes away on its own, often growing more pronounced as you get older, and it can disrupt your entire line of toes by shifting them over.
Bunions are also far more than just an aesthetic concern. Because these bumps stick out, they’re prone to trauma, which only exacerbates the condition by adding inflammation to the area. This leads to tenderness that responds painfully to the slightest touch, never mind wearing snug shoes.
Heel pain can be characterized by pain on the underside and back of your foot, where you bear the bulk of your weight when walking. Types of heel pain are usually distinguished by the location of the pain: either pain behind the heel bone or pain beneath the heel bone.
Depending on the location of your pain, your heel pain may be related to these most common causes:
Achilles tendinitis
Bursitis
Plantar fasciitis
Heel spur
Stone bruise
Of these causes, the most common are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Dr. Dustin Grimmett determine the underlying source of your pain after a thorough exam and health history.
A wart is a harmless growth that is caused by a viral infection. The wart has roots and grows into the deep layers of your skin. Warts can affect fingers, toes, palms of hands, knees,
Warts present on the surface of your skin as a fleshy mound and are gray, brown, or white. They often disappear and reappear, and can spread to surrounding tissues.
Plantar warts are a viral infection that grows primarily on the soles of the feet. They tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and defined border. They can be painful, as they irritate the soft tissues of your feet when you walk.
Diabetes causes damage to both the blood vessels and the nerves. In the feet, the disease can result in pain, tingling sensations and numbness that can increase the risk of falls and even make it difficult to identify other causes of pain like sores or blisters. When painful symptoms go unnoticed, care can be delayed, resulting in infections and other issues. Plus, blood vessel damage in the feet causes diminished circulation which can also make healing more difficult. Taken together, the nerve and blood vessel complications associated with diabetes significantly increase the risk of dangerous foot sores or ulcers as well as the risk of toe, foot, and lower leg amputations. For people with long-term diabetes and those in whom the disease is not well controlled, even a minor issue like a blister or ingrown toenail can result in a very serious infection.
Diabetics must pay special attention to the health of their feet. At Foot Specialists of Alabama, Dr. Dustin Grimmett has extensive experience in helping to prevent and treat diabetic foot pain.
An ingrown toenail occurs when part of your toenail starts growing into your skin. The more your nail grows, the more and more embedded it becomes in your skin. Sometimes, ingrown toenails are just a side effect of your natural nail shape and occur regularly because your nail is overly curved.
In most cases, though, ingrown toenails occur because of improper nail trimming. If you cut your toenails too short, tear them, or round out the edges, your toenail is more likely to become ingrown as it continues to develop.
Occasionally, you might develop an ingrown toenail because of regularly wearing shoes that are too snug near your toes. Other times, ingrown nails form due to trauma or toe injury.
Are there symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Yes. One of the most common complaints among ingrown toenail sufferers is throbbing pain that seems to come out of nowhere. You might also notice:
Swelling or redness around your nail
Pus or oozing next to your toenail bed
Tenderness while putting weight on the affected toe
Since ingrown toenails can become infected rather quickly and continue to get worse as your toenail grows, it’s important to get treatment at the first sign.
Orthotics are shoe inserts provided by a podiatrist that can be used to treat and correct an array of foot-related issues as well as problems that affect the ankles, knees, and even the lower back. Orthotics are custom made for each patient and based on an in-depth analysis of foot shape, pressure points, gait patterns, symptoms and other issues. Custom orthotics can be crafted to fit most types of shoes including athletic shoes and high heels.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Custom Orthotics?
Professionally custom-made orthotics can be used to treat many conditions and issues, including:
corns and calluses
bunions
hammertoes
plantar fasciitis
tendon and ligament issues
heel spurs
neuromas
heel pain
arch problems, including flat feet
congenital deformities
some types of diabetic foot problems
Orthotics can also be crafted to address ankle instability and balance problems.
Dr. Dustin Grimmett is a highly trained foot and ankle surgeon who established Foot Specialists of Alabama in 2016. Dr. Grimmett completed his medical training at Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, he rounded out his education by completing a 3-year surgical residency program at University Hospitals in Cleveland. His training was very comprehensive and included all aspects of foot and ankle care, such as trauma, reconstructive surgery, podiatric medicine/surgery, and diabetic limb salvage. Dr. Grimmett is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and is board qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle surgery.
Dr. Grimmett loves to see his patients return to the activities they love. He believes that when a patient understands their treatment process, they become more invested and the outcome improves. If conservative treatments fail, you can feel comfortable with surgery in his skilled hands. He truly cares about every individual that walks through his doors and understands that each person has unique problems and needs.
Dr. Grimmett is originally from a small town in Southeast Idaho. He often states, “I was raised on the back of a horse in the mountains." This is where he first developed his love for the great outdoors. When Dr. Grimmett isn’t in the office seeing patients, you will find him spending time with his wife and six kids. Dr. Grimmett's wife is a native to Marshall county and is part of the reason he fell in love with this area. He is passionate about any activity his kids are involved with and you will always find him on the sideline cheering them on. This has led to him enjoying mountain biking, soccer, cheerleading, and art/theater to name just a few. He’s thrilled to call Alabama home and loves being a part of this wonderful community.
