While your feet are exquisitely engineered to move you about from place to place and to
tolerate the enormous forces of daily life, there is only so much stress they can take. In
fact, statistics indicate that 75% of the population in the United States will experience foot
problems at one time or another in their lives. Whether you find yourself walking, running,
jumping, or simply standing still, it’s wise to consider the health and comfort of your feet
every step of the way.
Foot deformities can be attributed to a number of things. In some cases, these problems
are hereditary, while other times they may occur as the result of a medical condition, acute
trauma or repetitive stress. One of the most common toe deformities seen by a podiatrist is
a hammertoe. Most often attributed to frequently wearing ill- fitting, tight footwear or highheeled shoes that squish the toes into a bent position, a hammertoe can also be influenced by genetic factors, the result of a bunion, or caused by arthritis in the toe joint.
Just as the name implies, a hammertoe resembles a “hammer” with the toe bending at the
middle joint into a claw-like deformity. Hammertoes can develop in any of the small toes of
the foot, but most often affect the second and third toes. Although it is rare, a nerve or
spinal cord problem can cause all of the toes to curl and bend in the same manner.
Hammertoes usually affect women, but men can develop them as well. Hammertoes can cause you discomfort while walking or when you simply try to move or stretch your toes. Some signs and symptoms of a hammertoe may include:
- A curled, bent toe
- Discomfort in the toes, ball of the foot and front of the leg
- Corns or calluses on top of the middle joint, between the toes, and ball of the foot
- Difficulty fitting into shoes or finding comfortable shoes
While in the early stages of a hammertoe, the joint may still be flexible and therapy can be
managed with noninvasive methods, left untreated the toe will become more rigid and less
responsive to conservative methods of care. Seeing your podiatrist at the first sign of any
foot issues is the best way to prevent the condition from worsening or the development of
problems that require more complex care. This is especially true for patients like diabetics
as a blister or callus that forms on a hammertoe can become ulcerated and lead to a
serious infection.
Treatment for a hammertoe depends upon the severity of the deformity as well as the
number of toes involved, lifestyle, and existing medical conditions. You can rest assured
that your podiatrist will develop a treatment plan that takes every one of these factors into
consideration. A non-surgical, conservative approach to care may include strategically
placed foot padding, wearing shoes with a roomy toe box, custom orthotics, splinting and
taking anti-inflammatory medication as needed to reduce pain and inflammation. In severe
cases, surgery may be required to straighten the joint. A single surgical procedure or
combination of procedures may be recommended when a hammertoe is accompanied by
other foot deformities such as a bunion.
Your comfort and overall well being depend upon showing your feet a little kindness and
paying attention to foot care. Partnering with the podiatrist is the best step you can take to
ensure the health of your feet.
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