What is a Hammertoe?
This occurs due to muscle weakness at the level of the toes leading to abnormal pressure on the joints and tendons.This causes the toes to become deformed and abnormally bent.There is frequently a corn or callus on top of the deformed toe which can cause pain when it rubs against a shoe.
Who gets it? Causes of hammer toe include the following:
- Certain shoes– wearing shoes that are too tight at the front can force toes into a flexed position.In the initial phases the joint will still be flexible and able to passively correct but as the disease progresses the deformity becomes rigid.
- Sex– Women are more likely to develop hammer toe than men.
- Age– The risk of developing hammer toes increases with age.
- Certain diseases– People suffering from conditions such as Diabetes and Arthritis are at an increased risk of getting hammer toes.
- Genetics– sometimes, hammer toe is hereditary and may run in families.
Due to footwear styles, women are more likely than men to develop hammer toe. The risk of hammer toe also rises with age.
What symptoms does it cause?
Patients tend to complain of corns or calluses as a result of shoes rubbing on the top of their joints or excessive pressure at the tips of their toes.The joint becomes stiff and very painful and eventually becomes a fixed flexion deformity.
How is a hammer toe diagnosed?
A doctor can usually diagnose a hammer toe during a physical exam. Imaging tests, such as X rays, may be necessary to determine if the joint is severely arthritic as a result of the long term flexion deformity.
How is a hammer toe treated?
The severity of your condition determines the treatment that will best suit you
Treatment for a mild hammer toe
Footwear: The first issue to address is footwear. Inappropriate footwear such as narrow toed shoes squeeze the toes into an abnormal position thereby weakening the ligaments and also causing muscle imbalance. High heel shoes also puts the pressure in front of the toes and aggravates the problem.Open toe shoes or wide shoes with a roomy toebox prevents abnormal pressure and helps alleviate the problem.
Padding corns and calluses. Your foot and ankle surgeon can provide or prescribe pads designed to shield corns from irritation. If you want to try over-the-counter pads, avoid the medicated types. Medicated pads are generally not recommended because they may contain a small amount of acid that can be harmful. Consult your surgeon about this option. Gently stretching your toes can also help relieve pain and reposition the affected toe.This, however, does not offer permanent correction.
Treatment for a severe hammer toe
If you’re unable to flex your toe, surgery is the only option to restore movement. Surgery either involves a soft tissue procedure if the joint is supple or a bony procedure if the joint is rigid. Surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis, so you can return home on the day of your surgery.
How can I avoid getting a hammer toe?
The best hammer toe prevention tip is to wear properly fitting shoes. Avoid wearing narrow or pointed shoes. If possible avoid wearing high heel shoes greater than 5 centimeters tall .. It can also cause the formation of corns and a high arch.
What can I expect after treatment?
After treating the cause of your hammer toe, it usually goes away without complications. However, waiting too long to seek treatment can cause your surrounding toes to become deformed as the hammer toe forces them out of position. It’s best to get treatment as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.