Hammer Toe Specialist

What is a hammertoe?

Hammertoe deformities develop when you have an imbalance in connective tissues — muscles, ligaments, or tendons — that normally help your toe stay flattened and relaxed. If your toe is continuously pushed into a bent position, possibly due to snug-fitting shoes, those connective tissues eventually stiffen up and “get stuck” in that unnatural bent position.

You’re most likely to develop this condition in your second toe, especially if it’s longer than your big toe. But in reality, any of your toes can become hammertoes. While this condition affects the joint closest to the base of your toe, a similar condition, called mallet toe, affects the joint closest to your nail.

Is a hammertoe painful?

Not always, although pain and discomfort are certainly possible, especially the more stiff and rigid your hammertoe becomes. While joint pain and limited movement in the affected toe are most common, you can also develop painful corns and calluses as a result of your deformed toe rubbing the inside of your shoe.

What is the treatment for a hammertoe?

It depends on the severity of your condition. If your hammertoe is still flexible, Dr. Harris might suggest making sure your shoes have lots of wiggle room in the toes. He could even get you fitted for custom orthotics for maximum toe support. Hammertoe treatment plans may also include:

• Stretching exercises
• Physical therapy
• Padding or taping
• Pain-relieving medications or injections

If your hammertoe is rigid or otherwise starting to impact your quality of life, Dr. Harris is likely going to talk with you about surgery. Hammertoe surgery, which is minimally invasive and involves minimal downtime, allows Dr. Harris to surgically straighten out your toe joint.

He might need to release or repair affected connective tissues or remove any tissues that are damaged. If a related deformity, such as a bunion, caused your hammertoe, Dr. Harris may even be able to correct that issue at the same time, so you only have one recovery period.

Before hammertoe discomfort worsens, see how the team at Flower Mound Foot and Ankle Center can help. Book your exam online or over the phone.