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Hammertoe Condition and Treatment

Hammertoe is a deformity that affects the muscles of the toe. This deformity can be painful and can become permanent if not treated. According to PodiatryChannel.com, 2 to 20 percent of people are affected by hammertoe. Risk of this deformity increases with age.

  1. Condition

    • When the larger muscles of your toe contract and overpower the smaller muscles, it can cause the joints of the toe to bend down. This condition is known as hammertoe.

    Causes

    • Hammertoe is not hereditary. Trauma to the foot that changes the way you walk can cause this condition. Nueromuscular and inflammatory diseases, such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, are at the root of some cases. Those with flat feet have a higher risk of hammertoe.

    Symptoms

    • Hammertoe changes the way you balance on your feet, and it can lead to corns on the tops of your toes. Calluses may develop on the bottom of your toes and on the sole of your foot. These calluses can become open sores.

    Non-Surgical Options

    • When hammertoe is caught early, doctors can prescribe custom-fit orthotics to correct the alignment of your toes.

    Surgery

    • When hammertoe is too advanced to be cured by orthotics, surgery may be necessary. The two procedures most commonly used for the condition are arthoplasty and arthodesis. During arthoplasty, the head of the proximal phalanx bone is trimmed to allow the toes to straighten. Arthodesis is the fusing together of two bones in the toe. Follow-up procedures may be necessary to completely cure the condition and keep it from recurring. You must stay off your feet for several weeks after either procedure.

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