Have you noticed your smaller toes starting to bend upwards, overlapping your other toes? Or maybe you feel like your shoes are increasingly cramped and uncomfortable on your feet. If so, you may be dealing with a common foot problem called hammertoe.
At our practice, hammertoe is one of the most frequent issues we see patients complaining about. The bent toe rubs on shoes, causing irritation or calluses. It can throw off your gait and put pressure on the ball of the foot, leading to pain. The good news is there are solutions available to realign the toe and relieve discomfort. In this article, we’ll go over what causes hammertoes to form, the treatment options we offer, and tips to help prevent it from getting worse.
What causes hammertoe?
Hammertoe is more common than you may think, and there isn’t just one cause. In fact, there are several potential causes of hammertoe:
- Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow for the foot can gradually force the smaller toes into a bent position over time. High heels and pointed toe boxes are major culprits.
- Muscle imbalances or weakness in the foot can allow the toe to bend abnormally when walking or standing.
- Injuries involving the toe, metatarsal bones, or foot can lead to hammertoe if they disrupt the joints or ligaments.
- Some people are born with a genetic predisposition for hammertoe due to the shape and structure of their feet.
- Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, or diabetes can affect the nerves and muscles in the foot, resulting in deformities like hammertoe.
- Aging takes a toll on the small foot muscles over time, increasing the chances of hammertoe and other deformities.
Treatment options
The treatment approach will depend on the severity and flexibility of the hammertoe. Here are some common options we consider for patients:
- Wearing proper footwear with a wide and high toe box relieves pressure on the bent toe.
- Using gel toe pads or toe caps can help protect the tip of the toe and redistribute pressure.
- Custom orthotics support the foot’s arch and help relieve muscle imbalances contributing to hammertoe.
- Medications, injections, or physical therapy can reduce inflammation and muscle spasms around the affected toe.
- A surgical procedure may be recommended for fixed, rigid hammertoes to straighten the toe. This can involve removing a small section of bone, inserting pins, or releasing tendons.
Preventing hammertoe
While some cases of hammertoe are unavoidable due to genetics or injuries, there are some preventative steps you can take:
- Wear shoes with adequate room in the toe box and avoid styles like high heels that cram the toes together.
- Look for shoes with substantial arch support or use custom orthotics.
- Do foot and lower leg stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Use gel toe spacers and separators to keep toes properly aligned.
- Get periodic foot exams to identify any early signs of hammertoe or other abnormalities.
- Treat foot problems like bunions early before they cause hammertoe to develop.
- Manage medical conditions such as diabetes that increase the risks.
If you’re noticing pain, irritation, or changes in the appearance of your smaller toes, schedule an appointment with our office. Our goal is to accurately diagnose the cause and offer both conservative and surgical treatment options tailored to your individual case. With the right care, you can get relief from hammertoe symptoms and stop the progression of the deformity.
If you’re noticing changes in the shape of your smaller toes or having pain, don’t just write it off as a normal sign of aging! Make an appointment to come see us, so we can take a look and determine if you have a flexible hammertoe in the early stages of a more rigid, fixed deformity. Our goal is to get you out of pain quickly, stop any progression, and address any underlying muscle imbalances contributing to the bent toe.
Based on a thorough evaluation, our team at Selene Parekh will recommend appropriate conservative care or discuss surgical options if necessary. The key is not waiting too long, because it becomes harder to straighten out the toe once the deformity sets in. With early intervention, custom orthotics, proper footwear, anti-inflammatory treatment, or a minor outpatient procedure, we can often get you back to pain-free walking and wearing your favorite shoes again!
