A hammer toe happens when your toe bends at the middle joint, or the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. This bend is more likely to affect the second, third, fourth or fifth toe. Your toes resemble the shape of a hammer, which is where the condition gets its name.
Hammer toes, which are also known as mallet toes, can make it difficult to wear shoes comfortably. Some people also find it hard to walk with hammer toes.
At Summit Orthopedics, our experienced orthopedic physicians and surgeons in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area specialize in diagnosing and treating all severities of hammer toes. Their goal is to help you find lasting pain relief and regain normal function.
Types of Hammer Toes
There are two types of hammer toes: flexible and rigid. The type depends on how mobile the toe is.
- Flexible hammer toes: These are less serious because you can still move the bent joint. Since they are still flexible, your doctor may suggest nonsurgical treatment.
- Rigid hammer toes: In these cases, the toe has been bent for a long time. This causes the muscles and tendons to tighten. As a result, the joint gets stuck and won’t move. Rigid hammer toes can occur if a person delays seeking help or has issues like severe arthritis. For rigid hammer toes, surgery is usually the best way to fix the problem.
Causes of Hammer Toes
A muscle imbalance in your toes is often the cause of hammer toes. Your toe muscles work in pairs. Some of these muscles straighten your toes, and some bend them. If a toe stays bent for too long, these muscles and joints can get tight and lose their ability to stretch out straight again.
A common reason for this muscle imbalance is wearing shoes that do not fit, including shoes that are too small, tight or narrow. Other possible causes include:
- Having a condition like arthritis
- Having flat feet
- Wearing high heels, as these types of shoes can force your foot down, pushing your toes against the front of the shoe and making the bend worse
- Weakening of the small muscles in your foot
If someone in your family has a hammer toe, you may inherit the condition.
When to See Your Doctor
Hammer toes often worsen over time. As the condition progresses, your toes may become stiff, and it may be difficult to find comfortable shoes.
In addition to deformity, hammer toes can also cause other symptoms such as:
- Calluses and corns, including a large callous on the bottom of your foot
- Dislocation
- Pain in your toes or feet
- Redness
Diagnosing Hammer Toes
If you think you have a hammer toe, your doctor will check your symptoms. They will do a physical exam and may order X-rays or other tests to rule out or confirm issues like neurological conditions. These tests show your foot’s bone structure and soft tissues. The results help identify the cause of the deformity. This ensures you get the right diagnosis and the best treatment plan.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Your doctor may recommend nonsurgical hammer toe treatments during the early stages, before the condition has caused significant stiffness in your toes. The main goal of this approach is to reduce pain and prevent the condition from worsening.
Footwear Changes
Switching to shoes with a wide toe box can provide more room for your toes and relieve pressure on the toes. You may also wear open-toed shoes or sandals that don’t cause friction on your toes.
Foot Exercises
Foot exercises may be part of your care plan. Regularly performing simple foot exercises can help improve the flexibility and strength of your toe muscles. Activities like gentle stretching and flexing your toes are good ways to stretch these muscles. A physical therapist may guide you through the exercises before starting them.
At-home Remedies
Using corn pads on corns and calluses can help reduce friction and make wearing shoes more comfortable.
Surgical Treatment
Your doctor may suggest surgery if your toes can’t move anymore and other treatments haven’t worked. There are several types of hammer toe surgery. The kind of surgery you need depends on how bent your toe is.
Surgery can improve hammer toes by:
- Lengthening your toe tendons to correct the imbalance
- Transferring tendons from a healthy part of the toe to the damaged part to pull the joint straight and correct its position
- Removing a portion of the toe joint to help straighten out your toes
Care for Hammer Toes at Summit Orthopedics
Our team provides the highest level of care for hammer toes. Our goal is to restore healthy foot function and reduce your symptoms, so you can move freely and comfortably wear the shoes you love.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics foot expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
