Hammertoes

A deformity of the joints found in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th toe causing a buckling and permanent bending of those toes. The toe joints usually curl downward due to a muscle imbalance or tight tendons in your toes, resembling a hammer. Hammertoes vary in severity and in the number of joints and toes involved.

Symptoms

- Cramping of toes that radiate to feet or leg

- Pain in toes or feet

- Corns or calluses on your toes or feet

Common Causes

- Wearing poorly-fitted shoes

• Causes pressure on toes forcing them into bent positions
• High heels and narrow shoes

- Bunions

• Movement of big toe towards little toes causes little toes to bend

- Pre-existing conditions of Joint, Muscle or Nerve Damage

• Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, stroke

- Age

Treatment

- Mild Cases

• Proper shoes with soft, spacious toe boxes
• Cushioning or supportive items like straps for toes
• Toe Exercises (if prescribed by doctor or else could cause more damaging issues)
  • Stretching each toe manually
  • Picking items up from floor
  • Placing a towel under foot while watching television and using toes to crumple it

- Severe Cases

• Out Patient Surgery
  • Usually a piece of bone Is removed to help straighten the toe with a pin or implant used to hold the remaining bone in position during healing