Hammertoe

What is hammertoe?

If the muscles and tendons of your toes become tight, they can pull your toes into an abnormal position. When this occurs in your second, third, or fourth toe, the constricted connective tissue causes the heads of your toes to point down in a shape reminiscent of a hammer.

Hammertoes can be stiff, painful, and corns and calluses frequently develop on the affected toes.

What causes hammertoe?

Hammertoe often occurs when people with longer toes wear shoes that are too tight, especially high heels.

Other factors that can contribute to hammertoes include:

• Arthritis
• Injuries
• Genetics

Hammertoes tend to get worse over time. As you age, you may notice that your hammertoes have become rigid and that you have lost the ability to move your toes normally.

How does a podiatrist diagnose hammertoe?

If you’re concerned about hammertoes, the qualified podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey will perform a foot evaluation, review your medical history, and take X-rays of your feet. They may also order additional tests to rule out any underlying health conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.

How does a podiatrist treat a hammertoe?

The caring podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey will design a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Your personal plan may include:

• Prescription orthotics
• Specialized shoes
• Corn or callus removal
• Exercises and stretches
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

The podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey always begin with a conservative approach to treatment. Most of the time, conservative therapy will relieve your discomfort and restore range-of-motion and function to your toes. However, if your hammertoe doesn’t respond to more conservative treatment, your podiatrist may recommend a surgical procedure.

The team of podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey are expert surgeons who can safely perform surgery to correct hammertoes. In most cases, hammertoe can be corrected with a simple in-office procedure, or with a minimally invasive procedure performed in a hospital setting.

To find relief from the pain associated with a hammertoe, call Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey to schedule an evaluation, or make an appointment online today.