What is a hammertoe?

A hammertoe is a name given to a contracted, curly toe that has the shape of a hammer. Frequently the affected toe can be excessively long compared to the adjacent toe.

How do I get hammertoes?

Individuals get ‘hammering of toes’ mainly due to biomechanical abnormalities during walking. Although there is an increase in occurrence with those who have flat feet, contracted toes can show up in all types of feet. Hammertoes are also increasingly common with age. Poor shoes and genetics play a role in the development of these deformities.

How do I know if I have a hammertoe?

An early sign may be that you have more difficulty or pain wearing your shoes. The longer you have a hammertoe, the more rigid and contracted the deformity can become. Most people realize they have a problem when they develop painful calluses or blisters on the top of their toes. In severe cases, ulceration and infection can develop with hammertoes. Other signs of hammertoes include painful calluses under the balls of the feet, cramping, and weakness.

Treatment

Early treatment of hammer toes can involve removal of the painful corns, padding and change of foot wear. Some milder forms of hammertoes can be improved with the prescription of custom made orthotics.

If the problem is a structural deformity within the toe then the above mentioned treatments are temporary and affect only the skin. The source of the problem is the contracture of the bone within the toe. The most effective treatment is surgical correction.

What is surgery like?

The procedure is done in an outpatient day surgery centre using local anesthetic. The surgery takes less than twenty minutes per toe. Through a small incision, the bone deformity is reduced and the tendons are rebalanced around the contracted joint. A small pin may be needed for stability. About four sutures are required. The patient can walk immediately in a special post-operative shoe, using minimal or no pain medication.