Hammertoe

A hammertoe is the foot condition wherein the unbalanced and uneven forces of the tendons surrounding the joints of a toe lead to contracture or buckling resembling a “hammer” structure. The unbalanced forces can be attributed to a flat foot or high arched foot. There are two basic types of hammertoes – rigid and flexible, with the latter being reducible and the former being arthritic.

People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes.

Hammertoe treatment typically involves wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes. Symptoms may also be alleviated by strapping and padding painful areas.

In severe cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.