Hammertoes Treatment

Hammertoe is a condition characterized by an unnatural curl in the second, third or fourth toes, which is the result of a bend at the middle joint of the toe. It is similar to mallet toe, in which the upper joint of the toe is affected. Hammertoes are caused by ill-fitting shoes that are too short or high heels, which cause the toes to bend unnaturally. Treatment involves correcting the cause, though severe cases may require surgery.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of hammertoes is a bending of the toes, causing them to take on a claw-like or hammer-like appearance. Moving the toe may be incredibly difficult and painful, which may lead to severe pain when attempting to walk. At times corns or calluses may form on the areas where the toes rub against the inside of the footwear. If any of these symptoms seriously hinder your ability to walk or carry out normal day-to-day activities, see your physician immediately.

Treatment

• Treatment for hammertoes is dependent on the severity and progression of the condition. If the toes have yet to become inflexible, treatment is typically focused upon eliminating the cause by switching to more comfortable and properly fitting footwear. Orthotics such as shoe inserts or pads are often recommended to help alleviate pressure on the feet by repositioning the toes.

  If these conventional treatments do not alleviate the pressure and the toes manage to become too stiff and painful to move, surgery is the only viable option. One option involves an incision made in the toe to manually release the affected tendon and straighten the toe. This is often used when there is some still flexibility left in the toe. If the toe is too stiff and rigid, pieces of bone may be removed, and pins may be used to temporarily stabilize the toe. Surgery is typically an outpatient surgery, and side effects include some moderate swelling, stiffness and inflammation.

Lifestyle and Home Treatment

• In addition to conventional orthotics, toe-strengthening exercises are often employed. This includes attempting to pick up a marble with your toes and stretching out the toes as much as possible. If you have a corn or callus, moisturizing cream may help soften the skin and alleviate pain, but treatment of these side effects should be handled by a physician due to the potential of serious side effects such as infection or ulcers. This is especially true for patients with poor circulation or diabetes, as self-medication can lead to complications and even amputation.