Hammertoes

What is a Hammertoe "Crooked Toe"?

Causes: Hammertoe is a common foot deformity that occurs most often in women who wear high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box. These types of footwear may force your toes against the front of the shoe, causing an unnatural bending.

What is it? A hammertoe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. Moving the affected toe may be difficult or painful. Corns and calluses can result from the toe rubbing against the inside of your shoes. These corns often present on the top of the toe or in between the toes(interspace).

Treatment: There are few conservative options for hammertoes. Over the counter corn pads may help alleviate the symptoms and allow you to perform your daily activities. Custom molded orthotics can help control the biomechanics of your feet which can slow down the progression of the hammertoe.


Surgery should be considered once all conservative options have failed and your daily activities are becoming affected. This can consist of releasing a small tendon to help straighten out your toe. Or removing a portion of the bone from the deformed knuckle.

Recovery varies between procedures and physicians but generally stitches are removed 2 weeks after surgery, regular shoe 2-4 weeks post procedure.

Let me know if you have any questions about hammertoes or any other condition involving the foot/ankle.

zbeth02@gmail.com

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