What Is a Hammer Toe?
Hammertoe is a bending of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop.
Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with non-surgical measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment.
Hammertoes are progressive, they don’t go away by themselves and usually they will get worse over time. However, not all cases are alike, some hammertoes progress more rapidly than others.
What Causes Hammer Toes?
The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle/tendon imbalance. This imbalance, which leads to a bending of the toe, results from mechanical (structural) changes in the foot that occur over time in some people.
Muscle and tendon imbalance
This imbalance, which leads to a bending of the toe, results from mechanical (structural) changes in the foot that occur over time in some people.
Footwear that does not fit
Hammertoes may be aggravated by shoes that don’t fit properly. A hammertoe may result if a toe is too long and is forced into a cramped position when a tight shoe is worn.
Earlier trauma, and inheritance
Occasionally, hammertoe is the result of an earlier trauma to the toe. In some people, hammertoes are inherited.
Symptoms to Look Out For
A hammer toe is visible as a bend in the toe, and the trouble it causes comes from that bend pressing against a shoe.
- One or both joints of a lesser toe bent rather than straight.
- Pressure on the toe when wearing shoes.
- A toe that was flexible becoming stiff over time.
- An open sore where the toe has rubbed.
How Are Hammer Toes Diagnosed?
Ozan will obtain a thorough history and physical examination of your foot. During the physical examination, Ozan will evaluate the cause and extent of the contracture of the toes and will correlate the findings with x-rays.
Conservative Treatment Options
In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with non-surgical measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment.
Often symptoms associated with biomechanical malalignment are treated with the use of custom foot orthotics. This device can help improve and reduce load on painful structures.
When Symptoms Persist
In some cases, usually when the hammertoe has become more rigid and painful, or when an open sore has developed, surgery is needed. Often patients with hammertoe have bunions or other foot deformities corrected at the same time.
In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, Ozan will take into consideration the extent of your deformity, the number of toes involved, your age, your activity level, and other factors. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
Hammer toe deformity, from the clinic’s own image library.
Show clinical images
Hammer Toes FAQs
Hammertoes are progressive, they don’t go away by themselves and usually they will get worse over time. However, not all cases are alike, some hammertoes progress more rapidly than others.
In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with non-surgical measures. But if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment.
Often patients with hammertoe have bunions or other foot deformities corrected at the same time.
The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed. Manly Foot Clinic has not published a standard timeline, so this page does not state one. Ozan sets one out for your procedure at consultation.
No, you can book directly without a referral. If you’d like, we’ll send a short report to your GP after your appointment so your foot care stays part of your overall health record. If your appointment is through a Medicare care plan, DVA or another funded program, you will need a referral, so check with us when you book.
Serving Manly and the Northern Beaches.
Manly Foot Clinic is at Shop 3/3 Corrie Rd, North Manly, NSW 2100, and treats hammer toes for patients from Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Freshwater and Balgowlah. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 2:00pm.