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Hammertoes
What is a Hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a contracture—or bending—of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop.
Common symptoms of hammertoes include:
• Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes.
• Corns (a buildup of callus skin) on the top, side, or end of the toe, or between two toes. Corns are caused by constant friction against the shoe. They may be soft or hard, depending upon their location.
• Calluses (another type of skin buildup) on the bottom of the toe or on the ball of the foot.
Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with noninvasive measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment. Corns are more likely to develop as time goes on—and corns never really go away, even after trimming. In more severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may form. Because of the progressive nature of hammertoes, they should receive early attention.
Causes of Hammertoes
The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle/tendon imbalance. This imbalance, which leads to a bending of the toe, results from mechanical (structural) changes in the foot that occur over time in some people. Hammertoes are often aggravated by shoes that don’t fit properly—for example, shoes that crowd the toes. In some cases, ill-fitting shoes can actually cause the contracture that defines hammertoe. For example, a hammertoe may develop if a toe is too long and is forced into a cramped position when a tight shoe is worn. Occasionally, hammertoe is caused by some kind of trauma, such as a previously broken toe.
Treatment:
There are a variety of treatment options for hammertoe. The treatment will depend upon the severity of your hammertoe and other factors.
A number of non-surgical measures can be undertaken:
• Trimming and padding corns and calluses.
• Changes in shoewear. Avoid shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short, or shoes with high heels—conditions that can force your toe against the front of the shoe.
• Orthotic devices. A custom or OTC orthotic device placed in your shoe may help control the muscle/tendon imbalance.
• Medications to reduce pain in your toe
When Is Surgery Needed?
In some cases, often when the hammertoe has become more rigid, surgery is needed to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the deformity.