How Do You Fix Hammer Toe On Children?
A hammer toe is when a toe is bent over like a claw, typically seen on the second to fifth toes in both children and adults. There can be several causes in children, pressure from a bunion, wearing shoes that they have outgrown, or a congenital birth defect. If hammer toe is treated early, you can most likely avoid surgery. In any case, a physician should be involved in the treatment process. Step 1 Visit your family doctor. Your physician can confirm hammer toe with a quick examination and tell you the most effective forms of treatment. According to the “American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care,” if the hammer toe has been present since infancy, it is more likely to be hereditary and can be a birth defect; however, if its appearance is later in childhood, it is easy to correct if caught early. Step 2 Check your child’s shoes. Make sure he has not grown out of his shoes. Monitor his foot growth carefully, especially during growth spurts. When in doubt, move on to the n