Toggle navigation
DiTROLIO PODIATRY
12-25 150th StreetWhitestone, NY 11357(718) 767-0202
For New Jersey location, please call (201) 664-0225 or click here
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

Hammertoes

Definition

Hammertoe is a condition in which the toe is bent in a claw-like position. It can be present in more than one toe but is most common in the second toe.

HammertoeDescription

Hammertoe is described as a deformity in which the toes bend downward with the toe joint usually enlarged. Over time, the joint enlarges and stiffens as it rubs against shoes. Other foot structures involved include the overlying skin and blood vessels and nerves connected to the involved toes.

Causes & symptoms

The shortening of tendons responsible for the control and movement of the affected toe or toes cause hammertoe. Top portions of the toes become callused from the friction produced against the inside of shoes. This common foot problem often results from improper fit of footwear. This is especially the case with high-heeled shoes placing pressure on the front part of the foot that compresses the smaller toes tightly together. The condition frequently stems from muscle imbalance, and usually leaves the affected individual with impaired balance.

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical exam by a physician is always necessary for the proper diagnosis of hammertoe and other foot conditions. Because the condition involves bony deformity, x rays can help to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment
(Conservative)

Wearing proper footwear and stockings with plenty of room in the toe region can provide treatment for hammertoe. Stretching exercises may be helpful in lengthening the excessively tight tendons.

Surgery

In advanced cases, where conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended. The tendons that attach to the involved toes are located and an incision is made to free the connective tissue to the foot bones. Additional incisions are made so the toes no longer bend in a downward fashion. The middle joints of the affected toes are connected together permanently with surgical hardware such as pins and wire sutures. The incision is then closed with fine sutures. These sutures are removed approximately seven to ten days after surgery.

Alternative treatment

Various soft tissue and joint treatments offered by chiropractic and massage therapy may be useful to decrease the tightness of the affected structures.

Prognosis

If detected early, hammertoe can be treated non-surgically. If surgery becomes necessary, surgical risks are minimal with the overall outcome providing good results.

Prevention

Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot ailments. Foot width may increase with age. Feet should always be measured before buying shoes. The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of the foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles lessen pressure when walking on hard surfaces. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.

When to Call Your Doctor

  • If severe pain in the big toe came on suddenly
  • If you have not been diagnosed with gout.
  • If severe pain prevents walking or daily activities.
  • If the big toe begins to overlap the second toe.
  • If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or peripheral vascular disease.
  • If pain does not respond to home treatment in two to three weeks.

Patient Education

Patient Education Menu
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
  • Accessory Navicular Syndrome
  • Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
  • Ankle Arthritis
  • Ankle Fractures
  • Chronic Ankle Instability
  • Ankle Pain
  • Ankle Sprain
  • Arch Pain
  • Arch Supports
  • Athlete's Foot
  • Baseball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Basketball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Soft Tissue Biopsy
  • Black Toenails
  • Bone Healing
  • Bone Infection
  • Bone Tumors in the Foot
  • Brachymetararsia
  • Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)
  • Bursitis
  • Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease)
  • Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
  • Calf Pain
  • Callus
  • Capsulitis of the Second Toe
  • Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
  • Charcot Foot
  • Clubfoot
  • Cold Feet
  • Compartment Syndrome
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Corns
  • Cracked Heels
  • Crutch Use
  • Custom Orthotic Devices
  • Cyst-Ganglion
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Dermatitis
  • Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
  • Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
  • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Diabetic Shoes
  • Drop Foot
  • Dry Heels
  • DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
  • Eczema of the Foot
  • Equinus
  • Extra Bones
  • Fallen Arches
  • Field Hockey Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
  • Flatfoot-Adult Acquired
  • Flatfoot-Flexible
  • Flatfoot-Pediatric
  • Flexible Flatfoot
  • Foot Arthritis
  • Foot Bumps
  • Foot Drop
  • Foot Fracture
  • Foot Lumps
  • Foot Odor
  • Foot Rash
  • Football Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Fracture-Ankle
  • Fracture-Foot
  • Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
  • Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal
  • Fracture-Toe
  • Frostbite
  • Fungal Nails
  • Ganglion Cyst
  • Gangrene
  • Golf Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Gout
  • Haglund's Deformity
  • Hallux Rigidus
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Bone Fractures
  • Heel Cracks
  • Heel Fissures
  • Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
  • High-Arched Foot
  • Inflammation: Actue
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Instructions for Using Crutches
  • Intermetatarsal Neuroma
  • Intoeing
  • Joint Pain in the Foot
  • Joint Swelling in the Foot
  • Jones Fracture
  • Lacrosse Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Lisfranc Injuries
  • Lumps
  • Malignant Melanoma of the Foot
  • MRSA Infection of the Foot
  • Orthotics
  • Os Trigonum Syndrome
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
  • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
  • Osteopenia
  • P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
  • Pediatric Flatfoot
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
  • Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic
  • Peroneal Tendon Injuries
  • Pigeon-toes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fibroma
  • Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris)
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
  • Pump Bump (Hallux Rigidus)
  • Puncture Wounds
  • Rash
  • Raynauds Phenomenon
  • Restless Legs
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
  • R.I.C.E Protocol
  • Rugby Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Running and Track Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Running Injuries
  • Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot
  • Shin Splints
  • Shoe Inserts
  • Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
  • Smelly Feet
  • Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Soft Tissue Biopsy
  • Softball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Sports Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Staph Infections of the Foot
  • Stress Fracture in the Foot
  • Sweaty Feet
  • Swollen Ankles
  • Swollen Feet
  • Synovitis
  • Tailor's Bunion
  • Talar Dome Lesion
  • Tarsal Coalition
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Tennis Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Thick Toenails
  • Tingly Feet
  • Tired Feet
  • Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes)
  • Toe Walking
  • Turf Toe
  • Ulcers/Wounds
  • Varicose Veins
  • Volleyball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Warts
  • Weak Ankles
  • Webbed Toes
  • White Toenails
  • Wounds/Ulcers
  • Wounds-Puncture
  • Yellow Toenails
Online Store

Our Location

12-25 150th Street
Whitestone, NY 11357
(718) 767-0202

Map & directions

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination​
  • Site Map