For many people, hammertoe is an unfamiliar condition. Hammertoe affects about 200,000 Americans per year, but it is often preventable.

Hammertoe is an abnormal bend of the small joints of little toes. It frequently affects the toes next to the big toe. The irregular bending causes problems to develop because it puts pressure on the toes when wearing shoes.

Hammertoes typically start out as mild deformities that get worse over time. If you think you may have hammertoe, it is important that you seek professional care from a podiatrist, so your condition doesn’t get worse.

Causes

The most common cause of hammertoe is an imbalance in the muscle or tendon that results from gradual changes in the foot. The condition may get worse if you wear shoes that force your toe into a cramped position like high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes. Hammertoes can also be genetic, or they could be the result of a previous foot problem.

Symptoms

Hammertoes are usually self-diagnosable. Symptoms include:
• Painful toe
• Toe that is hard to move
• Corns, calluses or open sores on the toe
• Inflammation, redness or swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Physical deformity (bending)

Diagnosis

When you come in for treatment at a podiatry appointment, the doctor will talk to you about your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor will examine your foot and may manipulate the foot to try to replicate the symptoms. X-rays may be needed to further examine the foot and compare to any X-rays taken in the past.

Treatment

If caught early, hammertoes can often be treated with non-invasive options such as using shoe inserts or wearing shoes with roomier tow boxes. If they are left untreated, they may have to be treated with surgery. If you have the symptoms of hammertoe, schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist to discuss your treatment options.

Avoiding Hammertoe
The best way to prevent hammertoe is to wear shoes that fit properly in length and allow your toes to have breathing room. If you’re a high-heel lover, seek out heels that are 2 inches or less. Lower heels make it less likely to have pressure and bending in your toes.