Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a foot deformity where one or both joints of the toe abnormally bends. It occurs from an imbalance between the muscles and ligaments around toe joint, and causes your toe to curl like a claw. The condition can be present at birth, or may develop over time due to poorly fitting shoes.

What are the two types of hammer toes?

Flexible hammertoes: If the toe can still move at the joint. At this point, hammertoes are more easily treated, typically by several different options.

Rigid hammertoes: If the toe can’t be moved. This happens when the tendons in the toe become rigid and press the joint out of alignment. At this point, surgery may be needed.

Because hammertoes can progressively worsen over time, and they do not get better without some kind of treatment, see your doctor early on. Symptoms can often be treated by nonsurgical measures. Some of these include padding your corns and calluses, changing your shoes, wearing orthotic devices, corticosteroid injections, and splints. 

Image by Debra Roby. Toe Pre-surgery. (2007). Flickr.