Learn About Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe. The toe moves into a claw-like position. The end of the toe is bent downward.
Hammer toe most often affects the second toe. However, it may also affect the other toes.
The most common cause of hammer toe is wearing short, narrow shoes that are too tight. The toe is forced into a bent position. Muscles and tendons in the toe tighten and become shorter.
Hammer toe is more likely to occur in:
- Women who wear shoes that do not fit well or often wear shoes with high heels
- Children who wear shoes they have outgrown
The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or develop over time.
In rare cases, all of the toes are affected. This may be caused by a problem with the nerves or spinal cord.
The middle joint of the toe is bent. The end part of the toe bends down into a claw-like deformity. At first, you may be able to move and straighten the toe. Over time, you will no longer be able to move the toe. It will be painful.
A corn often forms on the top of the toe. A callus is found on the sole of the foot.
Walking or wearing shoes can be painful.
Mild hammer toe in children can be treated by manipulating and splinting the affected toe.
The following changes in footwear may help relieve symptoms:
- To avoid making the hammer toe worse, wear the right size shoes or shoes with a wide toe box for comfort
- Avoid high heels as much as possible.
- Wear shoes with soft insoles to relieve pressure on the toe.
- Protect the joint that is sticking out with corn pads or felt pads.
A foot doctor (podiatrist) can make devices called hammer toe regulators or straighteners for you. You can also buy them at the store. You can wear them to keep your toes straight.
Exercises may be helpful. You can try gentle stretching exercises if the toe is not already in a fixed position. Picking up a towel with your toes can help stretch and straighten the small muscles in the foot.
For severe hammer toe, you will need an operation to straighten the joint.
- The surgery often involves cutting or moving tendons and ligaments.
- Sometimes, the bones on each side of the joint need to be removed or connected (fused) together.
Most of the time, you will go home on the same day as the surgery. You may be able to put weight on your heel to walk around during the recovery period. However, you will not be able to push off or bend your toes in normal walking for a while. The toe may still be stiff after surgery, and it may be shorter.
Proliance Surgeons
Philip Yearian, DPM, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in the lower extremity treatment of the foot and ankle. He believes that staying on the forefront of treatment involves educating his patients, which leads to better outcomes.While competing as a Division I Track and Field athlete in the 3000 meters Steeplechase and Cross Country at the University of Portland, his own injuries introduced him to some of the very treatments he uses today to get patients back on their way to a non-painful walk or ultra-marathon.His training involved specializing in both bone and plastic reconstructive surgery. After over twenty years in practice in Gig Harbor and Tacoma, Dr. Yearian has improved some of these very techniques, which now allow some patients to shorten their recovery and return to play or work sooner.Dr. Yearian coaches basketball at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. He also enjoys running marathons, skiing, traveling and teaching for the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Residency program. Dr. Yearian is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hammer Toe. His top areas of expertise are Bunions, Flat Feet, Synovitis, and Tendinitis.
Proliance Surgeons
Gavin H. Smith, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and surgeon of the foot and ankle. He has been practicing medicine since 2004. He feels that his professional responsibility is the successful treatment of foot and ankle disorders. His professional interests include deformity correction, joint disorders, overuse injuries and trauma care. His philosophy of care is that the needs of the patient are the first priorities, and that any intervention, whether it be medical or surgical, should be evidence-based.Dr. Smith has volunteered for The Susan G. Komen 3-Day and is a surgical instrutor in the Franciscan Podiatry Residency Program. In his free time, he enjoys working in his shop and martial arts training with his sons. He and his wife have three energetic children who keep them busy. Dr. Smith is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hammer Toe. His top areas of expertise are Bunions, Tendinitis, Achilles Tendon Rupture, and Plantar Fasciitis.
Tun Lui practices in Sar, China. Lui is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hammer Toe. Their top areas of expertise are Claw Foot, Hammer Toe, Tenosynovitis, Synovectomy, and Endoscopy.
If the condition is treated early, you can often avoid surgery. Treatment will reduce pain and walking problems.
If you have hammer toe, contact your provider:
- If you develop thick blisters or corns on your toes
- If you develop sores over your toes that becomes red and swollen
- If your pain gets worse
- If you have difficulty walking or fitting into shoes comfortably
- If you have redness that extends up your leg
Avoid wearing shoes that are too short or narrow. Check children's shoe sizes often, especially during periods of fast growth.
Summary: In France, more than 110.000 patients are hospitalized for stroke per year. It is the leading cause of sudden disabilities in adults. Incidence of spastic foot is evaluated at 1 year post stroke from 18% to 56% of hemiplegic patients. Spasticity, defined as an increase in the velocity-dependent response to muscle stretch measured at rest, is part of the upper motor neuron syndrome and is character...
Summary: The LYNC clinical investigation aims to confirm the clinical benefits, performance and safety of the Lync® device when implanted in the toes for the treatment of arthritis and correction of bone misalignments. The main objective of the study is to confirm the clinical benefits of the Lync® device for the treatment of arthritis and the correction of bone alignment default, by evaluating the restora...
Published Date: August 27, 2024
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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