Hammer Toes in Children

Hammer toe is a condition that may be present at birth or develop over time. Children may notice a variety of different symptoms that include pain, corns and calluses. Treatment options are available to correct the hammer toe that range from simple splinting to minor surgery. Early diagnosis will help to avoid the more invasive treatment options.

Causes

• Hammer toes can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most frequent reasons people develop a hammer toe is related to footwear. Shoes that are too tight around the toes can cause them to bunch up, which can result in a hammer toe. Heredity also plays a part in the development of hammer toes. Certain children are more prone to developing the condition due to structural weaknesses. Muscles weakness in the foot may also lead to hammer toe. Certain neurological disorders including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can also cause hammer toe.

Identification

• In most cases, the second toe of the foot is affected. The second toe is typically the longest toe of the foot and is more susceptible to developing hammer toe. The toe will bend upwards at the base and then bend in a downward fashion at the middle joint. The shape of the toe may resemble the claw-like head of a hammer. The hammer toe will also appear to sit higher than the other toes of the foot.

Symptoms

• Children with a hammer toe may complain of pain around the joint that is affected by the condition. The amount of pain may vary depending on the severity of the hammer toe. Pain may be more noticeable when wearing shoes. Calluses will generally form along the sole of the foot. The toes that are affected by the condition may develop corns on the top of them. Hammer toes may initially be flexible but will tighten as the condition sets in.

Treatment

• Depending on the cause of hammer toe, treatment options will vary from child to child. If poorly fitting shoes were the cause of the hammer toe, it will be important to find shoes that provide enough room around the toes. Hammer toes that are still flexible can often be corrected with the help of a splint. Padded shoe inserts are commonly used to alleviate the pain that may be associated with hammer toes. More severe cases of hammer toe may need surgery to correct the condition. Surgery involves loosening the joints in the toe that have caused the condition to develop.

Considerations

• Early treatment to correct the hammer toe can help avoid surgery. Children commonly develop hammer toes because their shoes are too tight. Due to the rapid growth that children may experience, it is important to check the fit of their shoes on a regular basis. This will help to reduce a child's chances of developing hammer toe. Treatment options such as splinting will only be useful if the child wears properly fitting shoes. The condition will reoccur if poorly fitting shoes are continually worn.