A hammertoe can develop when the soft tissues that guide toe movement stop working together the way they should. In some cases this includes a ligament in the foot that becomes overly tight or loses its normal support, causing the toe to lift at the middle joint and settle into a curved position. When this happens, the toe may feel stiff, sore, or crowded in a shoe because its alignment no longer matches the surrounding toes. The skin can become irritated from rubbing, and pressure points may form that make walking uncomfortable. Addressing the problem depends on how rigid the toe has become and how much the involved ligament is influencing the deformity. A podiatrist can examine the toe, review how the ligament is functioning, and suggest options such as shoe adjustments, protective padding, inserts, or procedures that correct the underlying cause. If the toe is becoming painful or harder to move, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for effective treatment solutions.
Hammertoe
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
- Pain in the affected toes
- Development of corns or calluses due to friction
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Contracture of the toes
Causes
Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
