Article: Hammertoe may clear up at home; however, many patients eventually require doctor's care. If you notice any of the following complications, seek medical treatment: The development of thick blisters around your toe Worsening pain Difficulty walking Difficulty putting on shoes If you have any of the above complications, or if your hammertoe fails to clear up on its own, seek medical assistance. Make an appointment with your regular physician or a podiatrist to assess and treat your hammertoe. Before going into the doctor's office, take stock of your symptoms. You should be able to tell the doctor where the pain comes from and what activities make it worse. You should also come in with a list of your existing medications. If you have a family history of hammertoe, mention this to your doctor. Your doctor will perform a routine exam on your foot. She will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. Your doctor will also want to know what kind of physical activity you engage in and what kinds of shoes you wear. In most cases, your doctor will recommend a foot exercise program to treat the issue. Hammertoe, while irritating, is rarely serious enough to require surgery. Your doctor will lay out an exercise regimen for you at the office. Your doctor may advise a variety of exercises. You may be asked to pick up marbles with your toe or to crumple a towel with your toe. The type of exercises, and how often you should do them, do depends on your specific hammertoe. Make sure you get detailed instructions from your doctor. If anything is unclear in the doctor's office, ask your doctor for clarification before you go home. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to treat hammertoe. Your joints may need to be straightened surgically. In some cases, hammertoe is caused by joints fusing together. In this case, joints will need to be separated surgically and some bones may be removed. Hammertoe surgery is usually not major surgery. Most patients will go home the same day of the operation. Your toe may be stiffer or shorter after surgery. Talk to your doctor about the recovery period and how to best care for yourself.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Seek a doctor's advice if certain complications arise. Make an appointment with your doctor. Follow advice on foot exercise. Have surgery, if necessary.