| Hammer toes x-rays are sometimes ordered when a | | | | cross-over-toe. |
| patient has pain on the bottom or in the ball of the | | | | Like many other problems affecting the health of the |
| foot, especially if the deformity is not obvious. | | | | feet, hammertoes and bunions are often caused by |
| Redness on the top of the affected joint is often | | | | poorly fitting shoes. Narrow, pointy-toed shoes are |
| the first sign. If the redness is noticeable, your doctor | | | | common causes, but over-pronation may be involved, |
| might not order an X-ray. | | | | too. |
| Physical examination is sometimes the only necessary | | | | Hammer toes x-rays may not reveal over-pronation. |
| diagnostic tool. After evaluating the location of a | | | | Taking an imprint of the bottom of the foot is the |
| person's pain, if pain is present, and physically | | | | usual method of diagnosis. A low or absent arch will |
| manipulating the joints, it is often possible to see the | | | | be present, which can be observed on the imprint. |
| stiffness that is symptomatic. | | | | In over-pronation, the heel angles inward. So, instead |
| During the early stages, before obvious deformity | | | | of balanced pressure throughout the foot, more |
| occurs, it is possible to correct the problem by | | | | pressure is placed on the inside area, the side with |
| improving flexibility. Exercises geared towards | | | | the arch. |
| stretching the tendons and increasing muscle strength | | | | Examining the person's posture and appearance of |
| may help. But, it all depends on the severity or | | | | their knees is another diagnostic method. In severely |
| advancement of the deformity. | | | | pronated feet, the person appears knock-kneed. |
| Accompanying problems are another factor that | | | | If your doctor orders hammer toes x-rays, he or she |
| helps to determine treatment. A condition called | | | | may also do these other diagnostic tests to find |
| "cross-over-toe" can accompany a hammertoe and a | | | | related problems and come up with an effective |
| bunion on the big toe. The root cause of this problem | | | | treatment plan. If over-pronation is a problem, |
| is the bunion. | | | | orthopedic insoles may be used to straighten to |
| During hammer toes x-rays, the bunion would be | | | | provide support and reduce the pressure on the |
| seen in views taken from the top of the foot. They | | | | knees and other lower-body joints. |
| occur in the first joint (closest to the foot) of the big | | | | These are not problems that should be overlooked |
| toe. In the X-ray, the joint will appear enlarged and | | | | or taken lightly. The health of your feet affects the |
| the toe will point towards the others, to varying | | | | health of your total body. Deformities can become |
| degrees. | | | | permanent. The irritation and inflammation caused by |
| If the bunion is not corrected, there will be continued | | | | the initial problem can contribute to arthritis in other |
| pressure on the second toe, which may cause pain, | | | | joints of the body. |
| blistering, corns or calluses. Eventually, the second toe | | | | So, if your doctor orders hammer toes x-rays, take |
| develops the hammer-appearance and in order to | | | | his advice. Before you even visit your podiatrist, |
| accommodate the deformity in the big toe, the | | | | consider buying more practical shoes. That's the first |
| second toe becomes an overlapping or | | | | step. |