Hammertoe: Causes and Treatment

Hammertoe is a deformity of the toe, caused when the ligaments and muscles in the toe joint get out of balance. This results in the toe curling unnaturally and sometimes getting stuck in a bent position. 

Hammertoes usually impact the middle three toes. Here’s how this condition is caused and when it’s time to seek medical treatment from an orthopaedic professional. 

What Causes Hammertoe?

With the exception of the big toe, your toes are made up of three joints. The two joints that allow your toe to flex in a bending motion are the middle and bottom joints. Hammertoe occurs when the middle toe joint becomes stuck in a bent position. 

Hammertoes can be caused by trauma, genetics, or footwear. This includes:

• A toe fracture

• Arthritis

• High arches

• Abnormally tight ligaments or tendons in the foot

• Bunion pressure

• Improper footwear (too tight, poorly fitted, or pointy-toed shoes)

Fortunately, hammertoes take time to develop. The early stages, where the toe is still flexible and not bent out of alignment, can be treated without surgery. People in the early stages of hammertoe often report the following symptoms:

• Painful calluses, blisters, or bunions

• Pain in the bottom toe joint (where the toe meets the foot)

• Pain while walking

• Toe stiffness that worsens over time

• Difficulty bending, wiggling, or flexing your toe

It’s important to contact an orthopaedic foot specialist right away if you are experiencing multiple or prolonged symptoms. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the less likely it is to require surgical intervention. 

How Is Hammertoe Treated?

Dr. Elton and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery can usually diagnose hammertoe through a physical exam. Sometimes imaging tests will be ordered to check the condition of the joint and its surrounding tissue. 

Whenever possible, Dr. Elton will attempt conservative treatment methods to correct your hammertoes without surgery. This includes:

• Custom shoes 

• Prescription shoe inserts 

• Shoe pads

• Physical therapy and at-home exercises

• Splinting 

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Steroid injections 

Later stages of hammertoes that have a severe deformity or damage to the toe joint may require surgery. Dr. Elton will discuss your surgical options, which could include:

• Toe Arthroplasty: Removing some of the damaged joint, allowing the toe to flatten

• Tendon Transfer or Lengthening: Surgically moving or lengthening tendons of the toe allowing it to straighten.

• Arthrodesis: The damaged joint is removed and the bones straightened and allowed to heal. 

Hammertoe surgeries are outpatient, with the goal of eliminating your painful symptoms and restoring function. 

Hammertoe Treatment: Podiatrist vs. Orthopaedic Foot Specialist

While common, hammertoes require skill, expertise, and attention to detail. While podiatrists are medical professionals, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the foot, such as Dr. Elton at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, is trained to manage the foot as a whole. This includes muscles, soft tissue, joints, ligaments, and bones in the surrounding area.
If you are suffering from hammertoes, contact Dr. Elton today at (970) 476-7220 or by submitting his online appointment form.