Hammertoe Foot Deformity

A person has a hammer toe if one (or both) joints of all the toes except the big toe bend abnormally.

This contracture can cause abnormal pressure on the toe when the feet are in shoes, and in the long run causes problems such as toe pain or irritation, corns all around the toe or between toes, and calluses (usually on the ball of the foot).

Signs & Symptoms

Hammer toe foot pain typically starts off as slight, unnoticeable deformities, but they can get increasingly worse over the years. ‘Young’ hammertoes are still bendable and are typically manageable with noninvasive techniques.

Late-stage hammertoes, though, can become inflexible and may not respond to nonsurgical approaches. People with hammertoes are also very prone to corns, and sometimes, even open sores . Hammertoe deformity should not be taken lightly – the earlier they are diagnosed, the more manageable they are.

Hammertoe Causes and Risk Factors

Hammer toes can be hereditary. In most cases, though, they are a result of trauma (for example, history of a broken toe). Imbalance in the muscles or tendons can also be the culprit. This unevenness is usually developed overtime, and causes the toes to bend.

Hammertoe deformity can be made worse by wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially those that force the shoes to crowd together. In some rarer cases, shoes actually instigate the abnormal bending – a hammer toe may form, for instance, if a long toe is cramped into tight shoes.

Tests & Diagnosis

A physical examination coupled with an imaging approach (x-ray or other similar tests) may be carried out to diagnose a hammer toe.

Hammer toe Correction and Treatment

There are two kinds of hammertoe deformity treatment: nonsurgical and surgical.

Non-surgical Treatment of hammertoe

A healthcare professional may trim out calluses and corns that result from the hammer toe. The doctor may also prescribe foot padding that is designed to protect corns from further irritation. Some patients have been successful in buying and using over-the-counter padding, but it is still best to consult a doctor to know which type id best. If you must go for over-the-counter types, stay away from medicated pads that may have a small but harmful amount of acid.

Patients are also advised to switch to more comfortable footwear. Pointed and heeled shoes are not recommended, as they both force the toes to rub against the front part of the footwear. In some cases, orthotic devices may be necessary.

Sometimes, straps or splints help realign the toes.

Injections (corticosteroid) are used from time to time used to alleviate the pain and swelling. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal drugs also help.

Surgical Treatment

Arthroplasty is one of the most common types of hammer toe surgeries. A small section of the bone from the affected joint is detached, and this should solve the problem. Arthrodesis, a type of hammer toe surgery for more sever cases, straightens the toes by fusing a small joint with a device (such as a pin) until it heals.

There are cases that require further surgical procedures, such skin wedging, lengthening or rebalancing of tendon or muscle, and transfer of nearby joints, among others.

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