Hammertoe

Causes

The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle/tendon imbalance. This imbalance, which leads to a bending of the toe, results from structural changes in the foot that occur over time in some people.

Hammertoes may be aggravated by shoes that don’t fit properly. A hammertoe may result if a toe is too long and is forced into a cramped position when a tight shoe is worn.

Occasionally, hammertoe is the result of an earlier trauma to the toe. In some people, hammertoes are inherited.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of hammertoes include:

• Pain when wearing shoes.
• Corns and calluses on the toe, between two toes, or on the ball of the foot.
• Inflammation.
• Contracture of the toe.

In more severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may form.

Diagnosis

Although hammertoes are readily apparent, to arrive at a diagnosis the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot. During the physical examination, the doctor may attempt to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating your foot and will study the contractures of the toes. In addition, the foot and ankle surgeon may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformities and assess any changes that may have occurred. 

Hammertoes are progressive – they don’t go away by themselves and usually they will get worse over time.

Non-surgical Treatment

A number of non-surgical measures can be undertaken:

• Padding corns and calluses. 
• Changes in shoe wear.
• Orthotic devices. A custom orthotic device placed in your shoe may help control the muscle/tendon imbalance.
• Injection therapy. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to ease pain and inflammation caused by hammertoe.
• Medications.
• Splinting/strapping. 

When is Surgery Needed?

Although hammertoes are readily apparent, to arrive at a diagnosis the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot. During the physical examination, the doctor may attempt to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating your foot and will study the contractures of the toes. In addition, the foot and ankle surgeon may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformities and assess any changes that may have occurred. 

Hammertoes are progressive – they don’t go away by themselves and usually they will get worse over time.