Hammertoes get their name due to the abnormal appearance of the toe, in which it bends down like a hammer. A hammertoe’s shape is formed by a deformed bending in the toe’s middle joint. There are many factors that play into how hammertoes form. Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, jamming, or breaking it, can make the toe more susceptible to developing into a hammertoe. Age and gender also influence the likelihood of getting a hammertoe. Women have also been known to be more likely to develop a hammertoe compared to men. You’re also more likely to develop this condition as you age. Certain diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes, have been known to influence the likelihood of forming a hammertoe.

Hammertoes can be painful as well as incredibly uncomfortable. To help ease these symptoms, it may be beneficial to wear orthotics. Custom orthotics are used to help realign the toe structure and aid in the process of healing. Certain injections may be recommended by a podiatrist as well to help alleviate the pain. To prevent being afflicted by this condition, it’s recommended that you wear shoes that leave enough room for your toes and continually change your footwear as your feet change in size.

If you’d like more information on hammertoes and how to best treat the condition, we recommend you speak with a podiatrist for professional care and advice.

Condition:

Hammertoe is the general term used to describe an abnormal contraction or “buckling” of the toe because of a partial or complete dislocation of one of the joints of the toe or the joint where the toe joins with the rest of the foot. As the toe becomes deformed, it rubs against the shoe and the irritation causes the body to build up more and thicker skin to help protect the area. The common name for the thicker skin is a corn.

Symptoms:

A hammertoe may be present but not always painful unless irritated by shoes. One may have enlarged toe joints with some thickened skin and no redness or swelling. However, if shoes create pressure on the joint, the pain will usually range from pinching and squeezing to sharp and burning. In long standing conditions, the dislocated joints can cause the pain of arthritis.

Treatment:

Your doctor will decide what type of hammertoe you have and rule out other medical conditions. Treatment may range from more appropriate footgear to periodic trimming and padding of the corn. Cortisone injections may be indicated if a bursitis is present. Antibiotics may be utilized in the presence of infection. Removable accommodative pads may be made for you.

Hammertoe Surgery

Hammertoe surgery is performed when conservative measures have been exhausted and pain or deformity still persists. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. It typically required about one hour of time. An incision is placed over the inter-phalangeal joint. Bone in the toe will be resected at joint for possible fusion or just correction without fusion. Your surgeon may then use pins or other fixation devices to assist in straightening the toe. These devices may be removed at a later date if necessary.

Recovery for hammertoe surgery is approximately 4 weeks without fusion and 6-8 weeks if fusion is necessary. You are able to walk immediately following the surgery in a surgical shoe. Swelling may be present but is managed as needed. Physical therapy is used to help reduce swelling in the toe or toes after surgery. Most of these toe surgeries can be performed in the office or the outpatient surgery under local anesthesia.

Prevention:

Although there is little doubt shoes are responsible for causing corns, the size, shape and other characteristics of our feet are hereditary. A severe bunion may cause a hammertoe especially of the 2nd toe, as the great toe twists over or under the second toe, causing it to dislocate.