Is there an easy solution to hammertoes? I often treat patients with hammertoes, toes that are bent, buckled or flexed at the main toe joint. A hammertoe procedure is performed by removing a small portion of bone. Hammertoes sometimes hurt from shoe contact or because of joint pain, indicating at times, arthritis. It's important to realize that a consultation concerning even conservative treatment is very important.
Patients interested in a permanent correction of their hammertoes will be happy to know that the procedure is usually painless, performed in less than 30 minutes and done at an outpatient facility. Hammertoe surgery is performed with anesthesia, with or without sedation, but general anesthesia is rarely required. If you are not sure about doing something definitive about your hammertoes, I or a staff member will be happy to answer your questions.
What are they caused by?
Hammertoes are a common condition. In most cases, these problems can be traced to improper shoes, usually those that are too short or pointed. Toes that are crowded in poor fitting shoes become permanently fixed in that position and will not straighten. Shoes cause more pressure on the toes and cause painful corns.
What do they look and feel like?
Toes can be hammered at one or two joints, causing claw, mallet or hammer toes. Constant pressure due to shoes can cause corns and irritation of the toes, which can lead to swelling and pain.
What can be done to treat them?
Changing to shoes that fit properly may slow down the progression of hammer toes unless the condition is more advanced and the toes will not completely straighten out on their own. Corns caused by the contractures can be controlled by switching to shoes that provide more room for the toes or by placing pads over the corns to relieve the pressure.
If all else fails, surgery may be suggested by your podiatrist to correct the alignment of the toe, which may consist of correcting the contracture of the joint involved and releasing the soft tissues that may contribute to the deformity.
Credit: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
