Foot fat atrophy and hammer toes

Someone on here suggested Zentoe Products for hammertoes. I think we need lots of arch support for foot pad atrophy. I think I'll tell the maker of my orthodics to put in gel cushions. I'm running out of patience. No more foot Doctors for me. A terrible botched up surgery gave me hammertoes! Maria.

Hi Terri! I am impressed with how well you have handled your pain due to hammertoes. Having them operated on has made all the difference for you. I suffer from hammertoes too. I did have my left foot operated on, and it was not successful—it got worse because of an error in the surgery. Where did you have your surgery? Was it at the Mayo? I would like to have each of my feet operated on soon to get out of my pain as well. I am still hopeful because I would like to dance pain free! Béla

Hi Bella! So sorry you had a failed surgery! Mine was done in Fairfax Va and I had two done on each foot the first time and three toes the 2nd. It is a pretty straightforward surgery but I’ve learned to use surgeons w a concentration on athletes. So you may want to search a sports clinic group! Best of luck!

Now they say I need surgery for a dislocated toe. This would be 3 foot surgeries for me. The last guy botched up my capsilitis foot and gave me hammertoes! I dont think I can go thru with it. Can I just tape my toes together? The pad he gave me made it worse. Any ideas? Maria.

Try!…..do your research on the doctor and feel confident in whoever you pick. I use the book called Love Medicine and Miracles……..been using it to coach myself for many years. When you have a lot to medically deal with, one of the most important organs to keep healthy is the brain……and no one can tell you your own method . It’s up to you to work that out and then use it for yourself . I’ve had over 40 surgeries in my life . Ehlers Danlos never fails to challenge me every day of my life, and has been joined with Mast Cell Activation flares that really have challenged my determination to fight off that which steals my joy! But I keep at it. You can do this! Find out how you best can fight for your best result! It is so empowering! And you are so worth it!!! God Bless!

Avoid flip flops. There are good PT exercises out there. For pain from my second toe, I have found that KT tape really helps. You tube has a good example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_LAyrFy_AI There are shoes that match your pronation and also have extra support for the ball of the foot and toes; probably a quality store will have someone who measures well and understands pronation. SAS sandals (the ones with a strap over the ball of the foot and around heel) seem good. I like Rebooks DMX which has an air bubble for the ball of the foot and heel. I have tried orthotics but it feels like they do not really give the support I need. Silicone gel ones from the store seem better: however, you should use thick socks if you are going for an extended walk: my feet get hot spots. As an aside, my big toes have been sore: relief found in these stretches for Turf Toe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14b9yAsWyQ

I have a hammertoes and callus which makes it very painful to walk. My foot doctor recommended "Rocker" shoes 6 months ago, but I did not want to spend the money. Last week the pain was so bad that I gave in and got the HOKA Bondi SR which is a leather shoe (Rocker). I need leather because I work with horses and being accidentally stepped on a leather shoe is better than synthetic. They do have the same shoe in synthetic which is a little cheaper. It feels to me like I am walking on a cloud and I walk about 2 hours a day in the arena. I still have some pain because of the callus but is very tolerable compared to before. I just need to get rid of the callus.

I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands. And I am a life3 long distance backpacker, so I thought the hammer toes were from hiking, although I have increased boot sizes over the years to make sure there is enough room.
One doc suggested I tape my second toe down from underneath, and that has helped for hiking, but if I did that every day my skin would be raw. I have the carbon plates and they help, haven't gotten a custom arch support. or anything like that. I don't understand what this surgery did to improve your use or comfort of your foot. Maybe it's the next step for me. I've been on arthritis meds for about a year, and they are not helping, the arthritis doc suggests going to a medicine that I inject myself, dreading that.

The surgery on my right foot fusing the second metatarsal and cuneiform kept the bone joint from flexing too much, as I understand it. I had to be non-weight bearing for two and a half months which was not fun at all!
Now the pain is gone but some nerves were damaged so that the second toe is mostly numb and formed a hammer toe. It was worth it too be able to walk better though.
The left foot is now acting up but I'm wearing the carbon plate (& orthotic) on that foot. I still can't walk more than a couple of hours at a time without pain, but I'm postponing surgery for as long as I can. I bought some arch support straps a while ago for using when doing Pilates. I avoid doing anything where I have to raise up on my toes.
BTW, I started taking Curcumin capsules again and they seem to help some with both my feet and my hands.
The only pain pills I take are Tylenol Arthritis when I know I'm going to be on my feet a lot. But, unlike you, I don't have RA, just osteoarthritis.
Good luck!

I think my age is factor in this, 68, and I worry about doing surgery and getting imobile for that time, I'll loose all the muscle mass I have left. I have done some foot exercises to wake up the muscle again, would like to build some back since I think that's a big key. And time has helped some, a year ago I couldn't raise up on toes the way I can now, and I didn't work on it. Just rested I guess.
I'm going to a podiatrist this week, and I have some trepidation about it. I think they are not very helpful often, and sometimes do harm, but I don't have other options, since my toe nails are lifting and I don't' know what to do.
I will check out the Curcumin caps you mentioned.