Hammertoes

A hammertoe is easy to recognize, not because it's often painful, but primarily because one or more toes stay bent instead of straight. Joseph Hall, DPM provides exceptional hammertoe care at every stage. At an early stage, he offers conservative therapies. If your toe stays rigid and permanently bent, Dr. Hall is a board-certified surgeon with experience repairing hammertoes. Book an appointment online or call Dr. Joseph Hall, DPM (Foot and Ankle Specialist) at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic in Mill Creek, WA as soon as you notice hammertoe.

What is a hammertoe?

A hammertoe is an unusual bend in the toe, giving it a hammer-like shape. The problem occurs when the top of the toe turns down and bends the toe’s middle joint. Hammertoe usually affects the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes.

When hammertoe first develops, the tissues are still flexible. The longer the toes stay bent, the more the muscles and tendons tighten. The toe becomes rigid without early treatment, making it hard or impossible to straighten it.

What causes a hammertoe?

A muscle/tendon imbalance which leads to bending of the toe as a result of mechanical (structural ) changes in the foot that occur over time in some people with flat or high arches. Wearing tight shoes or high heels may aggravate the toes , but are not the cause.  You can also end up with hammertoe after an injury. Your risk of hammertoe may increase if you have arthritis or diabetes.

What symptoms does a hammertoe cause?

The first sign is a bent toe or needing to straighten the toe manually. However, hammertoe may also cause:

• Pain (affecting the toe and the ball of your foot)
• Pain when moving the toe
• Pain when wearing shoes
• Corns on the toe
• Redness and swelling
• Increasingly limited movement
• Difficulty walking

As the tissues become more rigid, you may be unable to find shoes that fit over the toe.

How is a hammertoe treated?

When the tissues are still soft and flexible, Dr. Hall can treat the problem with one or more of the following:

• Recommending shoes with low heels and more toe space
• Custom 3D orthotics
• Padding and taping
• Splinting
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching exercises

Surgery is the only treatment to fix the problem after the tendons turn rigid and get stuck into the bent position.

What happens during hammertoe surgery?

Dr. Hall, a board-certified foot surgeon, has years of experience successfully repairing hammertoes with surgery.

During your surgery, he may need to trim the bone, lengthen the tendon, or repair the plantar plate ligament. He may realign the bones or fuse the bones to hold them in a regular position.

If you notice one or more toes stay bent or you need to straighten them manually, it’s time to schedule an appointment at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic with Dr. Joseph Hall. Call the office or book online right away to get early hammertoe treatment.