Hammer Toe FAQs

What are hammertoes?

Hammertoes are a foot deformity that affects the middle joint of either your second, third, or fourth toe, causing it to bend and form a hammer shape. The foot condition can cause you to develop corns or calluses on the top of your joint or the tip of your toe. You may also experience toe or foot pain, especially if you’re not able to find shoes that accommodate your foot deformity.

Your hammertoe may start as a mild deformity but may get progressively worse over time. To help prevent hammertoe complications, you should have the team at Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic evaluate your deformity and develop a treatment plan to slow down or stop the progression.

What causes hammertoes?

An imbalance in the muscles in your toe may lead to the development of a hammertoe. Your shoe choices, specifically improperly fitting shoes, may also cause you to develop this foot deformity. Foot trauma can also lead to the development of a hammertoe.

How are hammertoes diagnosed?

While your podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic may be able to determine that your foot deformity is due to a hammertoe by looking at it, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation of your feet when you come in with concerns.

During your evaluation, your podiatrist conducts a complete physical exam and then takes a look at your toes and feet. To determine the severity of the contracture, your specialist may manipulate your toes and feet to reproduce symptoms.

How are hammertoes treated?

Your doctor at Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic develops a personalized treatment plan to help manage your hammertoe. The goal of treatment is to prevent the progression of the deformity and ease any discomfort.

Your podiatrist may recommend:

• Wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes

• Exercising the toe to stretch and strengthen the muscle

• Using straps, cushions, or non-medicated corn pads to relieve pain

Your doctor at Utah Podiatry, a foot and ankle clinic, may also recommend custom orthotics to control muscle balance in your toes.

If your hammertoe doesn’t improve with conservative measures, your specialist may recommend surgery to correct the deformity. Your specialist may also suggest surgically correcting your hammertoe if you’re undergoing surgery to correct a bunion.

Hammertoes don’t get better with time. For expert care of your hammertoe, call Utah Podiatry, a foot and ankle clinic, today or book an appointment online.