Hammertoe Repair

What is a hammertoe?

Patients often refer to all forms of toe abnormalities as a hammer toe. There are in fact four main forms of toe abnormalities, hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes and trigger toes. A hammertoe can be best described as an abnormal contraction or "buckling" of a toe. This occurs due to a partial or complete dislocation of one of the joints that form the toe. As the toe continues to be deformed, it will press up against the shoe and may cause corns.

Appearance of hammertoes

• There are two joints in the lesser toes and one joint in the large toe. If the deformity occurs in the lesser toes and in the joint nearest the nail, it is called a mallet toe.
• If the deformity occurs in the lesser toes and in the joint nearest the foot, it is called a hammertoe (refer to diagram below).

The diagram above shows a hammertoe.

• If the deformity in the lesser toes involves both of the joints, then the toe is referred to as a claw toe (refer to picture below).

The above picture shows a claw toe abnormality.

• If the deformity occurs in the large toe, it is known as a trigger toe.

Symptoms of hammertoes

• A hammer toe may be painful, especially when irritated by a shoe.
• All four toe conditions may cause cramps in the toes, foot and leg due to the abnormalfunction of the tendons in the foot.
• If a mallet toe has occurred, you are likely to suffer from a corn at the end of the toe.
• A hammertoe may cause a corn on the top of the toe (refer to the picture below).

The above picture shows a hard corn on the top of a hammertoe.

• Infections and ulcers can also occur.
• In severe cases a mallet toe, trigger toe, claw toe or a hammer toe may create a downward pressure on the foot, which can result in hard skin and corns on the soles of the feet.

Causes of hammertoes

• In appropriate shoes.
• Flat feet can result in hammertoes; this is due to poor mechanics off the foot.
• High arched feet can also result in buckling toes.
• A major cause is in hereditary, all the toe conditions mentioned could be acquired duein hereditary factors.
• Bunions are a major cause of hammertoes.
• Claw toes are usually the result of a shoe that is too short. For many people, thesecond toe is actually longer than the great toe, and if shoes are sized to fit the great toe, the second (and maybe even the third toe) will have to bend to fit into the shoe. Shoes that are pointed make matters even worse. Combine pointed shoes with high heels; the foot is under similar pressure as if it was constantly being pushed downhill into a wall.
• Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to bunions, which in turn can lead to hammer toes.

What can you do for hammertoes?

What you should not do

What will a doctor do?

What is the surgery like?

Surgically correcting a hammertoe is very technical and difficult, and requires a surgeon with superior capabilities and experience. The operation can be done at our office or the hospital with local anesthetic. After making a small incision, the deformity is reduced and the tendons are realigned at the joint. You will be able to go home the same day with a special shoe!

 

Is surgery for me?

If you are sick and tired of not fitting your shoes, you can no longer getrelief from pads, orthopedic shoes or pedicures, and have corns that are ugly, sensitive and painful, then youcertainly may be a good surgical candidate. In order to have this surgery, you can not havepoor circulation and and must have aclean bill of health.

No two cases are the same. We would be happy to discuss your unique foot condition. Click the appropriate link below: