Hammertoes Specialist

What is hammertoe? 

There are specific muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your toes that allow them to function correctly. They also keep them straight. A hammertoe is an abnormality that occurs in toe joints causing a hammer-shaped deformity.

It occurs when there’s an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. Hammertoe is most common in one of your three middle toes, not the big or small toe. In most cases, conservative approaches can treat it. However, in rare cases, you may need surgery to repair the structural damage. 

What are the common signs and symptoms of hammertoe? 

The most apparent sign of hammertoe is the deformity itself. You probably have hammertoe if you notice a bend in the middle joint of your toe, giving it a hammer shape.

Hammertoe is marked by a debilitating pain to move your affected toe. It’s often an underlying cause of corns and calluses because the hammertoe will probably press up against the surrounding toes. 

What causes hammertoes? 

Injuries to your toes or ill-fitting footwear that damages the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in your toe over time generally cause hammertoes. There are easily preventable measures to take, such as wearing properly fitting shoes or using orthotics. 

However, in some cases, a naturally occurring imbalance of the structural components inside your toe can lead to hammertoe. Arthritis is also a leading cause, as well as bunions.

How do you treat hammertoe? 

Luckily, you can treat most cases of hammertoe effectively with an adjustment to your footwear and custom orthotics that provide extra support. The combination of better-fitting shoes and the realigning custom orthotics deliver should alleviate the pressure and pain. Over time, this usually will cure hammertoe completely or keep it flexible and pain-free. 

The team at Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists may also recommend some stretches to help strengthen your toe. If conservative treatments don’t result in fast relief and improved structure, and your hammertoe is rigid, your podiatrist can perform surgery to release the tendon or remove a piece of bone that’s constricting your toe. 

If you notice a hammertoe, you should seek an appointment right away by calling the Garden State Foot & Ankle Specialists office nearest you or booking online today.