HAMMERTOE FAQs

What is a Hammertoe

Hammer toes are when the toes curl under unnaturally. There are two kinds of hammer toes, flexible and rigid. Flexible toe joints can usually be moved back and forth. Rigid toe joints cannot be straightened, may be painful and will interfere with walking.

How do I know if I have hammer toes?

Hammer toes happen when one or more of the small toes develops a bend and curls under. The toes look like a hammer or claw. Hammer toes may become sore and difficult to move. A foot doctor (Dr. K) can examine your toes and take an X-ray to see what’s going on inside your foot.

What causes hammer toes?

Hammer toes happen because of a muscle imbalance, tight tendons and/or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. Hammer toes can occur when toe muscles become weak, which puts pressure on the toe’s tendons and joints.

Narrow ill-fitting shoes, your genetic predisposition (family inheritance) or an underlying medical condition can help cause hammer toes.

Are there different kinds of hammer toes?

There are two types of hammer toes, flexible and rigid. A flexible hammer toe can be straightened by your fingers and may not cause pain. If left untreated, a flexible hammer toe’s tendons can tighten, the joint may become misaligned and the toe can turn rigid. You cannot move a rigid hammer toe. It is often painful and can interfere with walking.

What can I do if I have hammer toes?

If you have a mild form of hammer toes, you should get new shoes that are wide enough and long enough to accommodate your foot. You may need a small splint, padding or tape to hold the toe in the right position and change the muscle imbalance. Custom shoe inserts (orthotics) can also be helpful.

The pain can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil and Aleve, or by cortisone injections from a foot doctor (Dr. K).

Will I need surgery for hammer toes?

If you have severe hammer toes, you made need to have surgery to fix the tendons and straighten the toes. Surgery helps get rid of the pain and enables you to resume regular activity. The good news is hammer toe surgery is an outpatient procedure, and requires minimal healing time.