What is hammertoe?

Hammertoe is an unnatural bend in one or both joints of a toe and can affect the second, third, or fourth toe and, rarely, the fifth one. The abnormal bend puts excess pressure on the toe, causing pain, corns, and calluses.

The foot deformity happens because of an imbalance in muscle strength in the leg or foot. This imbalance pulls on the tendon that connects the muscle to the toe, causing the tendon to pull the joint upward.

Some people are at greater risk of developing hammertoe if they inherit a specific foot type, like flat, flexible feet. You could also develop hammertoe if you wear shoes that cramp your toes. Traumatic foot injuries can also cause hammertoe.

What are the types of hammertoe?

Hammertoe develops in stages. The type of hammertoe you have determines which stage it’s in:

Flexible hammertoes

A flexible hammertoe is in the early stages of development. With this deformity, the tendon is flexible, so you can still move the joint.

Semi-rigid hammertoe

The tendon begins to stiffen with a semi-rigid hammertoe, becoming less flexible.

Rigid hammertoe

Rigid hammertoe means the toe joint is stuck in the upward position and can longer lay flat.

When should I seek podiatry care for hammertoe?

Hammertoe is a progressive condition. You should seek podiatry care during the early stages of the deformity. Early diagnosis and care can prevent the need for surgery.

The skilled podiatrists at AIRE Podiatry Studio take a patient-centered approach to care, focusing on whole health, not just your feet. They review your symptoms, typical day, the shoes you wear, and your medical history. They examine your feet and X-rays them to determine how severe your deformity is.

How is hammertoe treated?

AIRE Podiatry Studio personalizes your hammertoe treatment plan based on type and symptoms. When possible, they recommend nonsurgical treatment like:

• Change in shoewear
• Use of foot pads
• Custom-fitted orthotics (shoe inserts that improve foot mechanics)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy

If you have rigid hammertoe, AIRE Podiatry Studio will probably recommend minimally invasive surgery, such as toe shortening, removing the prominent bony joint, and realigning the toe so that it lays flat.

Don’t wait for your hammertoe to get worse. Call AIRE Podiatry Studio or schedule a consultation online today