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There are two
different types:
Flexible Hammertoes:
These are less serious because they can be diagnosed
and treated while still in the developmental stage. They
are called flexible hammertoes because they are still
moveable at the joint.
Rigid Hammertoes:
This variety is more developed and more serious than the
flexible condition. Rigid hammertoes can be seen in
patients with severe arthritis, for example, or in
patients who wait too long to seek professional treatment.
The tendons in a rigid hammertoe have become tight, and
the joint misaligned and immobile, making surgery the
usual course of treatment.
Symptoms
- Pain upon pressure at
the top of the bent toe from footwear.
- The formation of corns
on the top of the joint.
- Redness and swelling
at the joint contracture.
- Restricted or painful
motion of the toe joint.
- Pain in the ball of
the foot at the base of the affected toe.
How Do You Get a
Hammertoe?
A hammertoe is formed due an abnormal balance of the
muscles in the toes. This abnormal balance causes
increased pressures on the tendons and joints of the toe,
leading to its contracture. Heredity and trauma can also
lead to the formation of a hammertoe. Arthritis is another
factor, because the balance around the toe in people with
arthritis is so disrupted that a hammertoe may develop.
Wearing shoes that are too tight and cause the toes to
squeeze can also be a cause for a hammertoe to form.
What Can You Do for Relief?
- Apply a commercial,
nonmedicated hammertoe pad around the bony prominence
of the hammertoe. This will decrease pressure on the
area.
- Wear a shoe with a
deep toe box.
- If the hammertoe
becomes inflamed and painful, apply ice packs several
times a day to reduce swelling.
- Avoid heels more
than two inches tall.
- A loose-fitting pair
of shoes can also help protect the foot while reducing
pressure on the affected toe, making walking a little
easier until a visit to your podiatrist can be
arranged. It is important to remember that, while this
treatment will make the hammertoe feel better, it does
not cure the condition. A trip to the podiatric
physician’s office will be necessary to repair the toe
to allow for normal foot function.
- Avoid wearing shoes
that are too tight or narrow. Children should have
their shoes properly fitted on a regular basis, as
their feet can often outgrow their shoes rapidly.
- See your podiatric
physician if pain persists.
What Will Your
Podiatrist Do to Treat a Hammertoe?
The treatment options vary with the type and severity
of each hammer- toe, although identifying the deformity
early in its development is important to avoid surgery.
Podiatric medical attention should be sought at the first
indication of pain and discomfort because, if left
untreated, hammertoes tend to become rigid, making a
nonsurgical treatment less of an option.
Your podiatric physician will examine and X-ray the
affected area and recommend a treatment plan specific to
your condition.
Padding and Taping:
Often this is the first step in a treatment plan. Padding
the hammertoe prominence minimizes pain and allows the
patient to continue a normal, active life. Taping may
change the imbalance around the toes and thus relieve the
stress and pain.
Medication:
Anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections can be
prescribed to ease acute pain and inflammation caused by
the joint deformity.
Orthotic Devices:
Custom shoe inserts made by your podiatrist may be useful
in controlling foot function. An orthotic device may
reduce symptoms and prevent the worsening of the hammertoe
deformity.
Surgical Options:
Several surgical procedures are available to the podiatric
physician. For less severe deformities, the surgery will
remove the bony prominence and restore normal alignment of
the toe joint, thus relieving pain.
Severe hammertoes, which are not fully reducible, may
require more complex surgical procedures.
Recuperation takes time, and some swelling and discomfort
are common for several weeks following surgery. Any pain,
however, is easily managed with medications prescribed by
your podiatric physician.
Your Feet Aren’t Supposed to Hurt
Remember that foot pain is not normal. Healthy,
pain-free feet are a key to your independence and need
regular attention. At the first sign of pain, or any
noticeable changes in your feet, seek professional
podiatric medical care. Your feet must last a lifetime,
and most Americans log an amazing 75,000 miles on their
feet by the time they reach age 50. Regular foot care can
make sure your feet are up to the task. With proper
detection, intervention, and care, most foot and ankle
problems can be lessened or prevented. Remember that the
advice provided in this pamphlet should not be used as a
substitute for a consultation or evaluation by a podiatric
physician.
Your podiatric
physician/surgeon has been trained specifically and
extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all manners
of foot conditions. This training encompasses all of the
intricately related systems and structures of the foot and
lower leg including neurological, circulatory, skin, and
the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints,
ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. |
A hammertoe is a contracture—or bending—of the toe at the
first joint of the digit, called the proximal
interphalangeal joint. This bending causes the toe to
appear like an upside-down V when looked at from the side.
Any toe can be involved, but the condition usually affects
the second through fifth toes, known as the lesser digits.
Hammertoes are more common to females than males.
