Hammertoe Repair

What is a hammertoe?

Patients often refer to all forms of toe abnormalities as a hammer toe. There are in fact four main forms of toe abnormalities, hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes and trigger toes. A hammertoe can be best described as an abnormal contraction or "buckling" of a toe. This occurs due to a partial or complete dislocation of one of the joints that form the toe. As the toe continues to be deformed, it will press up against the shoe and may cause corns.

Appearance of hammertoes

There are two joints in the lesser toes and one joint in the large toe. If the deformity occurs in the lesser toes and in the joint nearest the nail, it is called a mallet toe.
If the deformity occurs in the lesser toes and in the joint nearest the foot, it is called a hammertoe (refer to diagram below).

Hammertoe

The diagram above shows a hammertoe.

If the deformity in the lesser toes involves both of the joints, then the toe is referred to as a claw toe (refer to picture below).

Claw Toe

The above picture shows a claw toe abnormality.

If the deformity occurs in the large toe, it is known as a trigger toe.

Symptoms of hammertoes

A hammer toe may be painful, especially when irritated by a shoe.
All four toe conditions may cause cramps in the toes, foot and leg due to the abnormal function of the tendons in the foot.
If a mallet toe has occurred, you are likely to suffer from a corn at the end of the toe.
A hammertoe may cause a corn on the top of the toe (refer to the picture below).

Hard Corn on Hammertoe

The above picture shows a hard corn on the top of a hammertoe.

Infections and ulcers can also occur.
In severe cases a mallet toe, trigger toe, claw toe or a hammer toe may create a downward pressure on the foot, which can result in hard skin and corns on the soles of the feet.

Causes of hammertoes

In appropriate shoes.
Flat feet can result in hammertoes; this is due to poor mechanics off the foot.
High arched feet can also result in buckling toes.
A major cause is in hereditary, all the toe conditions mentioned could be acquired due in hereditary factors.
Bunions are a major cause of hammertoes.
Claw toes are usually the result of a shoe that is too short. For many people, the second toe is actually longer than the great toe, and if shoes are sized to fit the great toe, the second (and maybe even the third toe) will have to bend to fit into the shoe. Shoes that are pointed make matters even worse. Combine pointed shoes with high heels; the foot is under similar pressure as if it was constantly being pushed downhill into a wall.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to bunions, which in turn can lead to hammer toes.

What can you do for hammertoes?

Purchase wide fitted, low heeled shoes, running shoes are ideal.
Make sure that stockings, tights and socks are not too constrictive.
Non-medicated pads may relieve pressure away from corns and hard skin.
Applying an appropriate moisturizing cream will help to keep the skin soft.
Purchase high quality silicone products such as the the silicone toe prop to cure this condition.

What you should not do

Ignore the pain or toe abnormality.
Do not carry out any bathroom surgery, such as cutting a corn with a razor blade!

What will a doctor do?

Treat any foot complaints such as corns, calluses by periodically reducing the lesion and applying appropriate pads and dressings.
Recommend the silicone toe prop.
If an infection is present, then anti-septic dressings, antibiotics and pads to redistribute pressure away from the lesion may be necessary.
In the case of a mallet toe, trigger toe or claw toe. If a corn occurs at the end of the toe, a silicone or leather prop may be used to straighten the toe.
In a hammertoe deformity, a silicone prop to redistribute pressure away from a corn may be necessary.
The doctor may give footwear advice.
In severe cases, corrective surgery may be necessary.
The doctor may recommend orthosis to correct a mechanical complaint of the foot, such as 3/4 length silicone insoles.

What is the surgery like?

Surgically correcting a hammertoe is very technical and difficult, and requires a surgeon with superior capabilities and experience. The operation can be done at our office or the hospital with local anesthetic. After making a small incision, the deformity is reduced and the tendons are realigned at the joint. You will be able to go home the same day with a special shoe!

Is surgery for me?

If you are sick and tired of not fitting your shoes, you can no longer get relief from pads, orthopedic shoes or pedicures, and have corns that are ugly, sensitive and painful, then you certainly may be a good surgical candidate. In order to have this surgery, you can not have poor circulation and and must have a clean bill of health.

No two cases are the same. We would be happy to discuss your unique foot condition. Click the appropriate link below: