There are countless reasons why people may seek the help of a trained healthcare provider and one possible reason involves something called hammertoes. It is important for everyone to understand what this condition is, how it might present, and what their options are for treatment.

What Is a Hammertoe?

A hammertoe is an abnormal contraction or buckling of the toe. There are four main forms of hammertoes and they involve the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes. When this abnormal bending and contracture takes place, this can place a significant amount of pressure on the toe when shoes are worn, causing serious symptoms to develop.

Usually, a hammertoe is going to start out as a relatively mild deformity. Over time, the pressure on the hammertoe is going to cause this condition to get worse. Usually, the symptoms can be managed with relatively conservative measures; however, if the condition is not treated, then surgery could be required. Therefore, it is important to address hammertoes as quickly as possible.

What Are the Causes of Hammertoes?

There are several reasons why hammertoes might develop. Some of the most common causes include:

• There is a muscle and tendon imbalance which causes the toe to bend, leading to mechanical and structural changes
• In some cases, hammertoes can be made worse by shoes that do not fit properly, particularly if one toe is longer than the others and is forced into an abnormal position when shoes are worn
• Occasionally, an early trauma to the toe, particularly in childhood, can cause hammertoes to develop
• Finally, genetics can also cause hammertoes, such as individuals with flat feet or those with unusually high arches

There are several ways in which hammertoes might present.

What Are the Symptoms of Hammertoes?

There are several commonsymptoms of hammertoes. These include:

• There is severe pain and irritation of the hammertoe, particularly when shoes are worn
• There are blisters that continually appear around the hammertoe
• The hammertoe itself can turn red
• The toe is going to start to feel cramped nearly all the time
• Corn and calluses, which are a buildup of skin on the toe, can develop at the end of the toe or on top of the hammertoe itself
• The hammertoe is going to appear to have an unusual contracture that is not present on the other toes
• In some cases, open sores may form on the hammertoe

Anyone who is noticing these symptoms has to seek the care of a trained medical professional right away.

The Treatment of Hammertoes

If someone has been diagnosed with a hammertoe, there are several treatment options available. Like most medical conditions, it is a good idea to start with conservative management. Some of the treatment options include:

• Adding Padding: It is important to apply padding to the corns and calluses to make the foot feel more comfortable
• Change the Shoes: People with hammertoes should avoid shoes that are pointed, are too short, and have high heels because these will force the hammertoe into a tight spot that will make it worse
• Orthotics: A trained professional can make an orthotic in the shoe that can adjust the imbalance between the muscles and tendons in the toe

Eventually, many people with hammertoes are going to require surgery.

Rely on Trained Surgical Experts for Help with Hammertoes

In order to correct hammertoes surgically, thisrequires expert surgical skills. The team at Prime Surgical Suites can handle hammertoe cases comprehensively. We can fix this condition using only local anesthetic. We even make sure that our patients can leave the same day as the surgery. They even get to leave with a new shoe!

Count on the Team from Prime Surgical Suites for Help with Hammertoes

At Prime Surgical Suites, we know that no two cases are the same. For this reason, experience counts. If you are looking for trained professionals who are able to handle your hammertoe case from start to finish, then count on theoutpatient orthopedic surgery team at Prime. We provide you with safe, convenient, and predictable results in a fraction of the time. 

AtPrime Surgical Suites, we provide state-of-the-art, cost-effective musculoskeletal surgical care in a convenient and comfortable outpatient setting for patients of all ages. Located in RiverCrest Medical Park, we are the region's first outpatient center focused exclusively on orthopedics. Our physician-led center will help restore your active lifestyle and well-being with compassion and orthopedic excellence.