Hammertoes Specialist

Why do hammertoes form?

Hammertoes, which are deformities of your second, third, or fourth toes, form when an imbalance in your bones and soft tissues develops. Normally, the muscles and connective tissues in your toe help it lie flat in a natural position.

But if your toe is always scrunched up, like if you wear snug-fitting shoes or have a smaller second toe that’s longer than your big toe, over time, it can get “stuck” in that position. Muscles and connective tissues start constricting and becoming rigid, leaving your toe abnormally bent.

Occasionally, hammertoes stem from arthritis, injury or trauma, or inherited foot shape. You’re also more likely to struggle with hammertoes if you have bunions, since your crooked big toe may put pressure on your smaller toes.   

What are the symptoms of hammertoes?

In early stages, hammertoes are flexible and often flatten out and resolve simply by switching to roomier shoes with more space in the toe box. As your hammertoes progress, though, they start to stiffen and have a limited range of motion.

In either case, hammertoes can lead to serious discomfort from corns and calluses. You may also experience:

• Swelling
• Toe and foot pain
• Difficulty bearing weight on your foot

Before your hammertoes get any worse and start keeping you from enjoyable activities, see how the top-rated podiatry team at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care can help.

How are hammertoes treated?

When you come to Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care for your hammertoe evaluation, your dedicated podiatrist examines your feet, takes any necessary in-office X-rays, and talks with you about your treatment options. Your hammertoe treatment plan may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corn or callus removal
• Changes in footwear
• Specialized cushions
• Daily toe stretches
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Toe straps

If conservative treatments aren’t providing relief, your podiatrist at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care may recommend surgery. Hammertoe surgery can realign your toe joint and release rigid tissues, which allows your toes to flatten back out.

Modern hammertoe surgery is minimally invasive and requires only a short recovery period, so you can get back to your regular activities quickly.

Schedule your hammertoe evaluation at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care and get the relief you need. Click on the online scheduler or call to book your hammertoe exam.