hammer toes plus arthritis and corns

Have you tried strapping two toes together so keeping the toe straight? Perhaps asking the GP if you could be referred if the pain is really bad you can't always see arthritic changes other than scan or xray.

I have a hammer toe but it's the one next to my big toe. I was having trouble with the underlying ligament as a result as well as corns on the inside of the big and middle toes. I saw my GP and got referred for chiropody. I was given some orthotic inserts which were very helpful, especially immediately.

However what's really cracked it for me was buying some foot massage balls from Amazon. They're actually lacrosse balls and the point is that they're firm and smooth. I won't say it wasn't painful to begin with but a couple of months later my feet are hugely improved. I can walk miles now with no pain and my feet are generally much more flexible. It might be worth a try. I read up on it and it seems that foot massage is a good thing later in life as our feet begin to deteriorate with age!

Thanks to both. I've tried strapping 2 other toes together , which did help, but this one doesn't have a straight support next to it.
I'm hoping the support soles (? orthotics?) will help, I've made an appt for the chiropodist on Monday.
I'll have a look at the foot massage balls, sounds interesting.
Strangely, walking is no problem now, though at one time it was painful due to arthritis in the arch of the same foot, which has settled now (had a cortisone injection.)

I had a hammer toe straightened years ago as it was bent at 90○ under the one next to it. I went in as a day patient. It occasionally causes a bit of pain but has been so much better since.
That's the least of my foot problems though!

Someone I know had a toe removed, I can't remember the reason, but she said she was much better off without it.

The GP didn't offer any pain relief for severe pain in the arch - just recommended buying paracetamol!
I have got orthotics but am struggling wuth them.

Poor you Jalima - try buying Flector, it's not very expensive. I think you can get it without a prescription, I'm going to ask at my pharmacy tomorrow.
I'm douibtful bout orthotics too because I can't see how they'll help at night.

Thanks, Tricia, I will look for it at Boots when I go next time.

I have tried rubbing Nurofen gel and Diclofenac gel on but not sure that they help at all.
It doesn't seem to be so bad at night, just when I have been walking and seems to be under my arch; GP sent me to the podiatrist.

My hammer toe used to be very painful and at night too and (cross fingers and toes ) seems to have got better since it was straightened. The tendon used to hurt but they snip it I think, when they straighten the toe. It was done on the NHS.

The physio gave me a couple of those spikey balls sometimes used in the clothes drier. He recommended rolling the foot with them. In addition, get two washing up bowls, fill one with hot tap water, the other with cold and alternate the foot in hot then cold water. It helped with inflammation so may help with the toe

Jalima Flector gel is the same as Diclofenac gel, so maybe won't help.
I did find that the cortisone injection in my arch helped though . Won't your GP arrange it?
Lam64 the hot/ cold treatment sounds a good idea.
the 2 joints in my right middle finger have started to play up now - the joys of old age!

He won't even prescribe diclofenac tablets and told me to stop taking naproxen - only paracetamol!
I think he's on a mission to get everyone off anti-inflammatories.

If it carries on I must go back and try to see someone else.