HammertoeSometimes a muscle imbalance causes a hammertoe, or a bending of the toe at the first joint. The bent toe looks like an upside-down “V”. The abnormal imbalance of muscles increases the pressure on the toe’s joints and tendons.

A flexible hammertoe is still moveable at the joint and can be treated, but a rigid hammertoe may become immobile.

Trauma such as from an injury can cause a hammertoe, as can heredity, arthritis, and wearing shoes that are too tight.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a hammertoe include:

Treatment

You can relieve the discomfort of a hammertoe by padding the area to reduce friction. Switch to shoes with a deep, wide toe box and avoid high heels. Icing can help with inflammation.

But a hammertoe cannot be cured without professional help from a podiatrist.

To confirm our diagnosis, we will take an X-ray of the area. Treatment options include:

There are several surgical options if necessary.

Prevention

You can prevent hammertoes from forming or getting worse. Wear supportive shoes and avoid those with pointed or narrow toe boxes. Orthotics can help prevent the development of hammertoes or slow their progression.