Hammertoe Specialist in North Seattle
Hammertoe is a common type of foot deformity. The name itself reveals the condition—people with this condition have one or more toes that either bend upward or curl inward at an unnatural angle, resembling the curved claw on a hammer.
A single hammertoe can often be identified by an abnormal bend in its middle joint. Some patients have a curve or arch which begins at the last joint, closest to the toenail. While this isn’t technically hammertoe, it is a similar condition called mallet toe.
Signs and Symptoms of Hammertoe
You may notice some or all of the following signs and symptoms:
- The signature bend, or arch, which gives the condition its name
- Pain when you wiggle or move the affected toe(s)
- Corns and calluses, or other friction-related injuries
Possible Causes of Hammertoe
Similar to many other problems that befall your feet, hammertoe has several different causes. In some cases, these causes are natural, but others may relate to your lifestyle, age, or even the kinds of shoes you wear. Some of the most common causes include:
- Faulty foot structure. If you have flat feet or high arches, you're more at risk for developing hammertoe.
- Wearing the wrong shoes. If you regularly wear high heels or shoes with a small toe box, your toes may be crowded and curled inside. Over time this can cause your tendons and muscles to tighten up. If they spend too much time crowded and curled, they won't be able to get out of that position.
- Bunions. When your great toe moves outward and creates a bunion, your other toes get crowded and out of alignment.
- Injury, such as a jam, stub, or fracture. While you may be able to overcome the trauma, sometimes your body doesn’t heal quite the right way. In some cases, this may cause hammertoe or mallet toe to develop.
- Weak muscles. Poorly or abnormally balanced toe muscles may make one or more of your toes contract.
Who’s at Risk of Developing Hammertoe
Like most physical disorders, certain people are more likely to develop a hammertoe than others. For example:
- Older adults have a higher chance of developing hammertoe or mallet toe.
- Women have an elevated risk because they are more likely than men to wear constrictive footwear such as high heels.
- People with arthritis, diabetes, or one of several other illnesses are more likely to develop general foot-related problems.
Really, hammertoe can happen to almost anyone. Did you know that your risk is higher if your second toe is longer than your big toe? It’s true!
Managing Hammertoe at Home
Since hammertoe often arises from lifestyle choices, you can take some steps to manage it at home. If your toes are bent or seem to be bending, you’ll want to take a break from wearing heels, pointed shoes, or any other footwear that’s going to put your toes in an unnatural or uncomfortable position. You may also want to consider buying new, roomier shoes. In the meantime, and until your hammertoe has healed, you can try:
- Getting a special hammertoe pad from your podiatrist. We recommend Dr. Jill's Gels Hammer Toe Cushion.
- Applying ice packs to the affected toes several times per day
- Taking over-the-counter pain medications to manage any disruptive discomfort
Sometimes home care is enough to relieve hammertoe. Other times, however, you may find your toes reluctant to curl back into their natural position—or you may have pain that doesn’t seem keen on going away.
Treating Hammertoe Conservatively in North Seattle
For stubborn cases of hammertoe, consult a podiatrist. We have a variety of techniques and tools to help your feet help themselves. In many cases, a podiatrist will x-ray the affected foot to identify your exact bone positions. They might then recommend or apply:
- Pads and tape to help reposition your toe and relieve pain (see Dr. Jill's Gels Hammertoe Cushion above)
- Special orthotic devices, including custom-made shoes, that use your body’s physical contours and features to set your toes straight and promote healing
- Higher-grade medication, for particularly, painful cases
Minimally Invasive Hammertoe Surgery in Seattle
At some point, you may decide that conservative treatment is no longer working for you. Fortunately, we now offer minimally invasive hammertoe surgery to our patients right at our office. While typical surgery can require prolonged healing time, minimally invasive surgery significantly reduces post-surgical discomfort and gets you back on your feet faster.
Preventing Hammertoe
The best way to prevent a hammertoe from developing is to wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit well and have enough room in the toe box.
FAQs
1. What Happens If A Hammertoe is Left Untreated?
Hammertoes are progressive deformities that will worsen without treatment. Early intervention is crucial - the sooner you address a hammertoe, the more treatment options you have and the better your outcomes will be.
Most people who develop hammertoes have flat feet or overpronate when walking or running. These faulty foot mechanics also often lead to bunion development, and as bunions get larger, they push neighboring toes out of alignment, creating hammertoes.
While padding and pain medication provide temporary relief, they don't address the root biomechanical problem causing your hammertoe to worsen.
Custom orthotics prescribed by a podiatrist correct the underlying foot alignment issues. This reduces friction from the hammertoe, slows bunion progression, and prevents further toe deformity - addressing the cause, not just the symptoms.
Proper footwear is also essential: choose shoes with wide toe boxes and avoid heels over one inch to prevent hammertoe progression.
When conservative treatments like orthotics and padding fail to provide adequate relief, minimally invasive hammertoe surgery, like the kind we offer at the Foot and Ankle Center of Lake City, offers excellent results with faster recovery than traditional surgical methods.
What Patients Are Saying About Hammertoe Treatment At the Foot and Ankle Center of Lake City (Testimonials)
"I came to Dr. Berg due to a foot bunion and hammertoe. In addition to the increasing pain I was experiencing when walking because of the bunion, the hammertoe was making it difficult for me to wear my shoes without the toe joint rubbing against the inside of my shoe. Dr. Berg thoroughly explained to me what a bunion is and about my hammertoe. He also provided me with information to read at home which I really appreciated."
-J. Radoslovich, Bothell, WA
