Facebook Instagram

Conditions We See > Foot & Ankle

Hammer Toe: Causes, Symptoms,
Treatment Options, and Prevention

Hammer toe is a common toe deformity that affects the second, third, or fourth toes, causing the middle joint to curl upward and resemble a hammer. Hammer toe causes often include prolonged use of ill-fitting footwear, muscle imbalances, or underlying health conditions. Understanding these causes is essential for effective prevention and treatment. In its early stages, hammer toes can be corrected with simple measures, but if left untreated, the condition can become fixed and may require surgical intervention.

At ACME Orthopaedics, we offer personalized solutions to address hammer toe deformities, helping patients regain mobility and comfort.

Hammer toes are further categorised based on their severity:

1. Flexible Hammer Toes

For flexible hammer toes, you are still able to bend and move the affected toe. However, there is still a noticeable curl.

2. Semi-rigid Hammer Toes

The affected toe becomes noticeably stiff or hard to uncurl.

3. Rigid Hammer Toes

This is the most severe type of Hammer Toes in which the affected toe is frozen in a curled position and unable to uncurl. Rigid hammer toes usually would require surgery.

Hammer toes happen when something causes the toe to be out of position for a long time and eventually the muscles and tendons in the feet and toes adjust to the unusual, cramped position and tighten up. The main causes of hammer toes include:

  • Certain shoes that are poorly fitted. This includes shoes that are too narrow and inadequate arch support, forcing the toes into an unnatural position. People who constantly wear high heels and children who wear outgrown shoes may develop hammer toes.
  • Imbalance of toe muscles
  • Trauma
  • Bunions
  • Having high arch feet or flat feet
  • Hereditary
  • Prolonged stress on the feet and toes
  • Certain health conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of hammer toe development
  • Ageing

Hammer toes are usually visibly noticeable. Other symptoms can include:

  • Pain (usually at the top of the affected toes or the ball of your foot)
  • Difficulty moving the affected toes
  • Corns and calluses forming on top of the affected toes
  • Swelling
  • Skin discolouration

Depending on the type and severity of hammer toes, your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate treatment plan. Treatment options can involve non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

 

Non-surgical treatments
Non-surgical treatments can help correct the joint while it’s still flexible and consists of simple measures including:

  • Changes in footwear
  • Toe exercises
  • Pain relievers
  • Orthotic devices such as shoe inserts

Surgical treatments

Surgery might be recommended if the toe joint is rigid and no longer moveable or if non-surgical treatments fail to relieve the symptoms. The type of surgical procedure depends on the type and severity of the deformity. Some procedures include:

  • Osteotomy: It is a surgical procedure that involves bone cutting to help reshape or realign the bones to correct the deformity
  • Arthrodesis (Joint Fusion): This procedure permanently joins two bones in a joint together by inserting pins, wires, plates, rods or screws to fuse the bones
  • Tendon Transfer: Tendon Transfer may be recommended to patients with flexible toe joints. This procedure involves transferring the tendons from the bottom of the toe to the top of the toe, straightening the toe by pulling the joints
  • Resection Arthroplasty: Removes a diseased section of the bone and repair the joint, restoring the joint function

Wearing comfortable and well-fitted shoes can help prevent hammer toes from developing. Some tips on finding comfortable shoes include:

  • Avoid shoes with narrow or pointed tips
  • Ensure the shoes have adequate room for the toes
  • Opt for lower heels to prevent toe and back problems

Copyright (c) ACME Orthopaedics l Privacy Policy

Scroll to Top
Facebook Instagram