Matthew D. Neuhaus, DPM
300 Stonecrest Blvd. Suite 350
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 220-8788
Located on the 3rd Floor of the Physician Office Building at StoneCrest Medical Center

What is a Hammertoe?

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.

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. Hammertoes never get better without some kind of intervention.

What causes a Hammertoe?

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. And 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. In some people, hammertoes are inherited.

Common Hammertoe symptoms include:

Pain or irritation of the affected toe or toes when wearing shoes. There may also be pain with or without corns and/or calluses because the joint itself may become dislocated.
Corns (a buildup of skin) on the top, side, 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. Corns and calluses can be painful and make it difficult to find a comfortable shoe.
Restricted motion of the toe because of the increased pain along the site.

Treatment for a hammertoe can include a variety of options. The treatment your podiatric surgeon selects will vary upon the severity of your hammertoe and other factors. A number of non-surgical treatments measures include:

Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen may be prescribed to help reduce the pain and inflammation.
Splints or small straps may be applied by the podiatrist to realign the bent toe.
Placing padding over the area of the corns or calluses can help minimize the pain. The pads prescribed by the podiatrist can help shield corns and calluses from irritation. If you want to try over-the-counter pads, avoid the medicated types. Medicated pads are generally not recommended because they may contain a small amount of acid that can be harmful. Consult your podiatrist about this option.
Getting the corns and calluses trimmed. This should be done by a healthcare professional. Never attempt to do this yourself because you run the risk of cuts and infection. Your podiatrist will know the proper technique to trim corns and shave calluses to bring you the greatest benefit.
Changing the types of shoes you wear can be beneficial. Avoid wearing 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. Instead, choose comfortable shoes with a deep, roomy toe box and heels no higher than two inches. Please watch our video, to see what the best shoe for your foot.
Corticosteriod injection therapy is sometimes used to ease pain and inflammation caused by hammertoes.
Custom orthotic devices may be provided by the podiatric surgeon. These devices can be worn inside all your shoes and help control the muscle/tendon imbalance causing the hammertoes and discomfort.

When is surgery needed for a Hammertoe?

In some cases, usually when the hammertoe has become more rigid, surgery is needed to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the deformity. Your podiatric surgeon will discuss the options and select a plan tailored to your needs. Among other concerns, he or she will take into consideration the type of shoes you want to wear, the number of toes involved, your activity level, your age, and the severity of the hammertoe. The most common surgical procedure performed to correct a hammertoe is called arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon removes a small section of the bone from the affected joint. Another surgical option is arthrodesis, which is usually reserved for more rigid toes or severe cases, such as when there are multiple joints or toes involved. Arthrodesis is a procedure that involves a fusing of a small joint in the toe to straighten it. A pin or other small fixation device is typically used to hold the toe in position while the bones are healing. It is possible that a patient may require other procedures, as well-- especially when the hammertoe condition is severe. Some of these procedures include skin wedging (the removal of wedges of skin), tendon/muscle rebalancing, lengthening, small tendon transfers, or relocation of surrounding joints. Often patients with a hammertoe have bunions or other foot deformities corrected at the same time. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.

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“I wrote this book because too many people suffer from foot
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-Dr. Matthew Neuhaus