A hammertoe is a deformity where one or more of your toes curls upward in the middle joint.
What is a Hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a common deformity in one of the lesser toes of your foot (these refer to every toe except your big toe).
This term describes abnormal buckling of a toe joint that causes your toe to point up in the middle instead of remaining flat.
At Teton Foot & Ankle, we offer comprehensive hammertoe treatment in Idaho Falls to improve alignment and reduce pain and discomfort.
Different Types of Hammertoes
There are three main types of hammertoes:
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Flexible hammertoes: With flexible hammertoes, a visible curl has begun to form, but you are still able to move and bend your toe or toes.
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Semi-rigid hammertoes: When you have semi-rigid hammertoes, any affected toes become stiff and difficult to uncurl.
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Rigid hammertoes: Rigid hammertoes leave you unable to uncurl your toes. Once they have reached this stage, surgery might be required.
What Causes Hammertoes?
In most cases of hammertoes, there is an imbalance of the muscle/tendon complex that helps maintain the toe’s alignment. This imbalance causes the deformity to begin. Once it starts, the condition can worsen and may become painful.
If the condition advances, it can cause your toe to rub against the inner side of your shoe, resulting in a painful callus commonly known as a corn.
Hammertoes can stem from several places. Improper footwear, long toes, high arches, flat feet, injuries, health conditions, and bunions are common causes.
Symptoms
Although many people experience hammertoes, few of them will become significantly symptomatic.
However, as symptoms progress, they can manifest in the following ways:
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Corns/calluses
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Pain at the top of your toes
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Pain on the ball of your feet
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Swelling
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Problems moving affected toes
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Skin discoloration
When to Seek Treatment
If you have persistent pain in your toes or feet, increased stiffness, and/or trouble straightening your toes, you should seek hammertoe treatment.
Catching this in earlier stages can stop the condition from worsening. If it is not treated, it can progress to a more advanced stage that might require more intensive treatment.
Diagnosing/Testing
A podiatrist can conduct a physical exam of your foot, toes, and toe joints to determine if you have any hammertoes. They may have you walk or stand with or without shoes and ask questions about the kind of shoes you typically wear.
X-rays may also be taken to evaluate the deformity of your toe and to assess if arthritic changes have occurred within the deformed joints.
Idaho Falls Hammertoe Treatment at Teton Foot & Ankle
Experts Dr. Michael K. James and Dr. Bradley James at Teton Foot & Ankle are dedicated to serving their local community with individualized podiatry services. We offer hammertoe treatment in Idaho Falls, including testing, treatment, and guidance for moving forward.
If your symptoms are mild, switching to a shoe with a larger toe box is often all that is needed. Sometimes, using a splint or pad to protect your toes from the inner side of your shoe will also help. Pain relievers and toe exercises might be recommended as well.
When symptoms are severe and don't respond to simple treatment, surgery may be required. The type of surgery depends on the degree of hammertoe deformity.
If the hammertoe is flexible and can be straightened with only finger pressure, a very minimally invasive procedure is carried out, allowing you to walk immediately afterward. However, if the hammertoe advances to a more severe stage, more aggressive procedures are required. Typically, you will need to be off your feet for 3-6 weeks after this surgery, and full recovery can often be achieved within 3-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
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