
Hammertoes
Conditions We Treat
What is a Hammertoe?
Hammertoe is a contracture – or bending – of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes.
Common Symptoms
Common symptoms of hammertoes include:
• Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes
• Corns on the top, side, or end of the toe, or between two toes
• Calluses (or another type of buildup) on the bottom of the toe or on the ball of the foot
Causes
The most common cause of hammertoe is a muscle or tendon imbalance.
Treatment: Non Surgical
There are a variety of treatment options for hammertoe. A number of non-surgical measures can be taken:
• Trimming corns and calluses
• Padding corns and calluses
• Changes in footwear
• Orthotic devices
• Injection therapy
• Medications
• Splinting/strapping
Surgical Treatment
In some cases, usually when the hammertoe is more rigid, surgery is needed to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the deformity.
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