Symptoms
- Take a warm bath or shower prior to using pumice stones.
- When you get out of the bath or shower, file down callouses with your pumice stones.
- Use an exfoliating lotion after using pumice stones.
Causes
In this article, we will cover how Hammer Toes can be treated without surgery by using splints, shoes, pads, and doing exercises designed for Hammer Toe. Hammer Toe Splints also known by the name of Budin Splints are so designed so as to straighten out the curled Hammer Toes.
Prevention
These include:
- Wear sensible shoes. If you don’t want to have surgery to fix your hammertoe, Dr. ...
- Use a pumice stone. The corn or callus that forms on top of the hammertoe can cause discomfort when you wear shoes. ...
- Do foot exercises. Dr. Botek says she gives her patients exercises for their toes to keep them supple and strengthen the muscles that move them. ...
Complications
Treatments for hammertoes include the following:
- Surgery: Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery if your pain is severe, your hammertoe interrupts your daily activities and/or non-surgical treatments haven’t helped. ...
- Custom shoe inserts/orthotic devices: These can control how your foot functions.
- Pain relief: Taking anti-inflammatory drugs or getting cortisone shots to alleviate your pain.
How to get rid of hammer toes naturally?
Can I straighten a hammertoe without surgery?
How to get rid of hammertoes without surgery?
What is the best treatment for hammer toe pain?
How can I straighten my hammer toes at home?
Toe Taps: This hammer toe exercise helps to stretch the joint. As you sit in a comfortable chair, gently extend the big toe towards floor as you try to point the other toes up. Now hold onto that position for about a second and then tap them lightly back down to floor.
How can I straighten my hammer toes without surgery?
Hammertoes cannot be straightened without surgery. Once the toe has started to bend, conservative treatments alone will not reverse it, but can only slow its progression.
How do you make hammer toes go away?
Relieving the pain and pressure of hammertoe and mallet toe may involve changing your footwear and wearing shoe inserts. If you have a more severe case of hammertoe or mallet toe, you might need surgery to get relief.
What is the best treatment for hammertoes?
How do I take care of my hammertoes? Are there any at-home treatments?Decrease pressure to the area by applying a commercial, non-medicated hammertoe pad.Wear shoes with a deep toebox.Avoid heels that are taller than two inches.Apply an ice pack if there's swelling.Wear loose-fitting shoes.
What can a podiatrist do for hammer toes?
Orthotic Devices: Custom shoe inserts made by your podiatrist may be useful in controlling foot function. An orthotic device may reduce symptoms and prevent the worsening of the hammer toe deformity. Surgical Options: Several surgical procedures are available to the podiatric physician.
Is hammer toe surgery worth it?
A common risk is the possibility of the hammertoe recurring. However, a surgical correction has a 90% success rate. Minimally invasive procedures have also reduced the risk of infections and increased success rates. For persons who want to improve the quality of life and reduce pain, surgery is the best bet.
Do hammer toes get worse with age?
Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) deformity of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop. Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time.
How long does it take to correct hammer toe?
In general, it takes approximately 6 weeks to 3 months to fully recover from surgery. Many patients can walk immediately following surgery in a stiff-soled, surgical shoe or boot. Patients can typically return to normal activities after 2-3 months.
Are hammer toes serious?
Hammertoes can be a serious problem in people with diabetes or poor circulation because they have a higher risk for infections and foot ulcers. Custom orthopedic shoes may prevent these complications. People with these conditions should see a doctor at the first sign of foot trouble.
Are hammertoes a form of arthritis?
It most often affects the second or third toe. Although a hammer toe may be present at birth, it usually develops over time due to arthritis or wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as tight, pointed heels.
How long does it take to recover from hammertoe surgery?
For this reason, hammertoe surgery recovery time is approximately 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, you'll leave the office in a walking boot and may need to keep your foot elevated for a few days. Most patients are back into a closed shoe in as little as 10 days! It's normal to experience some swelling and inflammation.
Can you stop a hammer toe from getting worse?
Splint. A splint is a type of orthotic device that may help reduce the symptoms of hammer toe, or help prevent it from getting worse. The ACFAS reports that placing splints in a shoe may help control imbalances in muscles, tendons, or both.
Is surgery the only way to fix a hammer toe?
In many cases, a hammer toe is a treatable condition. However, generally speaking, surgery is the only way to “fix” a hammer toe. In mild, earlier stages, hammer toes tend to be flexible deformities and the symptoms can be treated with nonsurgical options.
Do toe straighteners work for hammer toes?
So What WILL Work? While wearing a hammer toe corrector can help to alleviate some of the discomfort and pain that is associated with the condition, it, unfortunately, cannot actually correct the hammer toe.
How to treat hammer toe pain?
You may be able to reduce or eliminate your pain by wearing bigger shoes or using shoe inserts or pads. Exercises to stretch and strengthen your toe, such as scrunching up a towel with your toes, may help in some cases.
How to straighten a toe?
In joint resection, an incision is made on the top part of the toe to reach the ligaments and tendons underneath. The ligaments and tendons may be cut to help straighten the toe. The end of one bone is taken off so that the toe can be fully extended. Small metal pins or rods are often used to keep the toe straight during healing. The pins are usually removed a month or so after surgery.
What does it mean when your toe bends?
Hammer toe is a condition that affects one of the three middle toes, causing the toe to bend upward at its middle joint. Some people can manage symptoms from this condition with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes don’t help reduce your pain, surgery may be a solution to this foot condition.
How long does it take to recover from hammer toe surgery?
Recovery. Full recovery from hammer toe surgery may take a few weeks. The timetable will be determined by the type of surgery. You may get a special shoe to help you with walk and maintain your balance during your recovery. You may also need crutches or a walker.
How much does it cost to have a hammer toe removed?
Correcting a hammer toe for purely cosmetic reasons isn’t likely to be covered by insurance. The out-of-pocket cost for hammer toe surgery is about $4,265, according to the Healthcare Bluebook.
What are the risks of hammer toe surgery?
All surgeries have risk of complications, including: infection. nerve damage. blood clot formation. a bad reaction to the anesthesia, if used during your surgery. Complications specific to hammer toe surgery include the possibility that your toe could eventually curl up again. This is unusual, however.
How long after a toe surgery can you drive?
If you have pins or screws in your toe, they may be taken out a few weeks after the operation. If the operation was on your right foot, you will have to avoid driving for a few weeks. Be sure to ask your doctor about any restrictions on driving or other activities.
How to fix hammertoe?
But there are other fixes besides surgery. These include: 1 Wear sensible shoes. If you don’t want to have surgery to fix your hammertoe, Dr. Stock suggests using non-medicated padding along with proper shoes made with a wider and deeper toe box to accommodate your foot’s shape. “Ensuring your shoes have a good arch support can slow the progression of the condition as well,” she says. 2 Use a pumice stone. The corn or callus that forms on top of the hammertoe can cause discomfort when you wear shoes. “Treat the corn by using a file or pumice stone to reduce its size after a warm bath, then apply emollients to keep the area softened and pliable,” suggests Dr. Botek. She also recommends using silicone or moleskin padding on top of the area when wearing shoes. 3 Do foot exercises. Dr. Botek says she gives her patients exercises for their toes to keep them supple and strengthen the muscles that move them. “Theoretically, exercises like extending, then curling the toes, splaying the toes, and moving the toes individually may help prevent the digital contracture that causes hammertoe,” she explains.
What to do if you don't want surgery on your hammertoe?
Advertising Policy. But there are other fixes besides surgery. These include: Wear sensible shoes. If you don’t want to have surgery to fix your hammertoe, Dr. Stock suggests using non-medicated padding along with proper shoes made with a wider and deeper toe box to accommodate your foot’s shape.
How to keep toes supple?
Do foot exercises. Dr. Botek says she gives her patients exercises for their toes to keep them supple and strengthen the muscles that move them. “Theoretically, exercises like extending, then curling the toes, splaying the toes, and moving the toes individually may help prevent the digital contracture that causes hammertoe,” she explains.
What to do if you have a corn on your hammertoe?
The corn or callus that forms on top of the hammertoe can cause discomfort when you wear shoes. “Treat the corn by using a file or pumice stone to reduce its size after a warm bath, then apply emollients to keep the area softened and pliable,” suggests Dr. Botek.
What is the difference between a clawtoe and a hammertoe?
Clawtoes are bent at the middle and end joints, while hammertoes are bent at the middle joint only. When it’s mallet toe, the joint at the end of the toe buckles. The skin near the toenail tip develops a painful corn that can eventually result in an ulcer. Doctors further categorize all forms of hammertoe based on whether ...
Why does my toe stick up?
The condition is actually a deformity that happens when one of the toe muscles becomes weak and puts pressure on the toe’s tendons and joints. This pressure forces the toe to become misshapen and stick up at the joint. Also, there’s frequently a corn or callus on top of the deformed toe. This outgrowth can cause pain when it rubs against the shoe.
What does it mean when your toes are hammered?
If the joint on one of your toes — usually the toe next to the big toe or the smallest toe — points upward rather than lying flat , you might have a hammertoe.
What is hammertoe surgery?
Hammertoe surgery acts to realign the muscles and joints in the toe (s) that caused the unnatural bend in the first place. Generally speaking, surgeons can either perform a traditional open-foot surgery, or a minimally invasive procedure to achieve this desired result.
Can you correct a hammertoe without surgery?
In some instances, individuals may be able to correct a hammertoe without undergoing surgery. However, doing so requires quick diagnosis and action shortly after a hammertoe develops. That’s because there are two stages (or types) of hammertoes: flexible and rigid. Flexible hammertoes can still bend at the joint, while rigid hammertoes cannot. If you manage to identify a hammertoe while it is still flexible, your doctor may recommend you try one or more of the following to correct the hammertoe and restore the correct alignment of the muscles:
Is hammertoe surgery more painful than open foot surgery?
Conversely, minimally invasive hammertoe surgery is designed to correct the misalignment in the toe without causing undue pain or inconvenience. Unlike traditional hammertoe surgery, minimally invasive procedures involve only very small incisions to correct muscle and joint problems. This means that the procedure is much less painful, invasive, and damaging than an open-foot surgery. Minimally invasive hammertoe surgery is an outpatient procedure, and many of our patients are able to resume their daily activities almost immediately after the surgery.
How to prevent hammering of toes?
Do foot exercises: Your podiatrist can suggest exercises for your toes to keep them supple and strengthen the muscles that move them. Extending, then curling the toes, splaying the toes and moving the toes individually may help prevent the contracture that causes hammertoe.
What to do if your hammertoe is hurting?
Surgery: Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery if your pain is severe, your hammertoe interrupts your daily activities and/or non-surgical treatments haven’t helped. During the surgery, the surgeon may remove the bony prominence on your toe and align the joint, or insert a steel pin to correct your toe’s position.
How to tell if you have hammertoe?
Symptoms of hammertoe include: A joint in your toe that’s getting rigid. Pain – usually at the top of your bent toe. Pain in the ball of your foot . Corns and calluses at the top of your joint. Redness, inflammation, or a burning sensation. Restricted or painful motion of your toe joint.
Why does my toe point up?
This deformity happens because muscles in your foot or leg get weak and the tendons to your toe pull abnormally. You might find that you also have a corn or callus on top of your deformed toe, which may be painful.
Why can't hammertoes move?
Rigid hammertoes: A rigid hammertoe can no longer move because the tendons and soft tissues have tightened.
What are the different types of hammertoes?
There are three types of hammertoes: Flexible hammertoes: A flexible hammertoe is still developing, so the affected toes are still able to move at the joint. Semi-rigid: The hammertoe is starting to stiffen. Rigid hammertoes: A rigid hammertoe can no longer move because the tendons and soft tissues have tightened.
How to reduce corn on hammertoe?
Use a pumice stone: The corn or callus that forms on top of the hammertoe can cause discomfort when you wear shoes. Use a file or pumice stone after a warm bath to reduce the corn or callus' size. Then, apply emollients to keep the area soft and pliable. Use silicone or moleskin padding on top of the area when wearing shoes.
How to correct hammer toe?
If a high arch caused the condition, wearing toe pads or insoles in your shoes can help . These pads work by shifting your toe’s position, which relieves pain and corrects the appearance of your toe.
How to diagnose a hammer toe?
How is a hammer toe diagnosed? A doctor can usually diagnose a hammer toe during a physical exam. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, may be necessary if you’ve had a bone, muscle, or ligament injury in your toe.
How to stop blisters from rubbing on shoes?
Popping blisters can cause pain and infection. Use OTC creams and cushions to relieve pain and keep blisters from rubbing against the inside of your shoes. Gently stretching your toes can also help relieve pain and reposition the affected toe.
What causes a hammer toe?
Certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing a hammer toe. These include: 1 a family history of hammer toe 2 chronically wearing tight or pointy-toed shoes 3 having calluses, bunions, or corns, which are thickened layers of skin caused by prolonged and repeated friction
What does it mean when your toe is hammering?
Signs and symptoms. A hammer toe causes you discomfort when you walk. It can also cause you pain when you try to stretch or move the affected toe or those around it. Hammer toe symptoms may be mild or severe.
Why does my toe bend?
A hammer toe occurs when the middle joint becomes flexed or bent downward. Common causes of this include: a traumatic toe injury. arthritis.
How high should a heel be for a shoe?
If you wear high heels, the heel height should be 2 inches or less. Wearing shoes with high heels increases the pressure on your toes and causes them to bend. It can also cause the formation of corns and a high arch.
Footwear
Shoes that are too tight in the toe box or have a high heel can force toes into a bent or flexed position. When the toes stay in this position a long time, the muscles that allow the toes to straighten out become tight and less able to work. Eventually, they are unable to straighten out, even when wearing more spacious shoes.
Toe length and foot posture
A 2021 article notes that hammer toe is more common in toes that are longer. Long toes may increase the likelihood that the toe will become bent or squashed by tight or heeled shoes. Hammer toe is also more common in people with other foot conditions, such as flat feet or bunions.
Age and gender
Hammer toe is more common in older adults, particularly among women. In the 2013 study, half of women participants ages 70 years or older had a lesser toe deformity. This may be because, in some cultures, women are more likely to wear shoes that constrict or place pressure on the toes, making hammer toe more likely.
Past injury
Hammer toe is not the direct result of an injury. But the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) notes that earlier trauma to the toe may contribute to its development later on.
Other health conditions
Certain health conditions can raise the risk of hammer toe. These include:
Footwear changes
People with early stage hammer toe should avoid wearing narrow, tight, or high-heeled shoes. Instead, look for:
Exercises
Exercises may also strengthen and stretch the muscles in the feet, which may reduce the imbalance that is causing hammer toe. Specific exercises include:
How to fix a hammer toe?
For this surgery, a doctor cuts ligaments and tendons to help straighten the toe and may also remove a portion of the bone.
How to treat a flexible hammer toe?
It is possible to treat flexible hammer toe without surgery, often by simply switching to better shoes. A person can reduce the symptoms of a flexible hammer toe by avoiding high heels and wearing loose shoes that are at least a half-inch longer than the longest toe.
How does a tendon transfer work?
Tendons attach muscle to bone. During a tendon transfer, the surgeon pulls a tendon near the hammer toe across the top of the joint. This pulls the toe into a straighter position, compensating for muscle weaknesses and improving the toe’s appearance. It should also reduce pain.
What does it mean when your hammer toe is rigid?
A rigid hammer toe means the joint is no longer movable. Home treatment and better shoes may offer temporary relief from the pain, and a doctor may recommend trying a custom orthotic device before surgery. If that fails, surgery might be the only option.
Why does my hammer toe have corns?
When a muscle gets too weak, it can put pressure on the tendons of the toe. This can eventually cause the joint to become deformed. People with hammer toe may also develop corns or calluses at the top of the joint from the toe rubbing on poorly fitted shoes.
What is a hammer toe?
Outlook. A hammer toe is a potentially painful deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes, where the toe bends upward at the joint, resembling a hammer. When a hammer toe causes pain, and other treatments fail, surgery may be the only option for correcting the joint.
What are the risk factors for hammer toe?
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing hammer toe. People with unusually long toe bones, a history of toe injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis are more at risk of developing hammer toe. The type of hammer toe determines treatment options. There are two distinct types:
How to fix hammertoe?
Physical therapy – Stretching and strengthening exercises can be a great first line of defense to help reverse the muscle imbalance that causes a hammertoe. Footwear modifications – Any shoes that force one or more toes into a bent position must be avoided.
How do you reverse hammertoe?
In many cases, hammertoe can be successfully treated without surgery if it’s tended to in its early stages while the affected toe is still flexible. Because of this, it is important that you seek treatment at the earliest sign of a developing hammertoe in order to ensure the best outcome. Since hammertoe is a progressive condition that gets worse over time, the earlier you seek treatment, the better.
What causes hammertoe?
Hammertoe typically affects the second, third or fourth toes and is caused by repeated constriction, often when the toes are forced into a bent position for long periods of time. This constriction results in a muscle imbalance, causing the toe to assume a curled or bent position. Though you may not realize it, there are six sets of muscles that help to stabilize the bones of your second through fifth toes. Each of these muscles works to keep the toes flat on the ground when you’re walking. When the muscle balance is thrown off, it can lead to bucking and contracting of the toe joint.
What is a hammer toe?
Hammertoes, perhaps better described as “curled” or “bent” toes, are a widespread cause of foot discomfort and a common source of insecurity about foot appearance. A hammertoe gets its name from the way it looks from the side – with a fixed bend in one or both of the toe’s joints, it creates a shape that looks like the head of a hammer. Fortunately, many cases of hammertoes can be improved, if not completely reversed, through nonsurgical measures. Here’s an overview of what causes hammertoe and how the condition can be treated without surgery.
Can hammertoes be reversed?
Fortunately, many cases of hammertoes can be improved, if not completely reversed, through nonsurgical measures. Here’s an overview of what causes hammertoe and how the condition can be treated without surgery.
How to treat hammertoe?
If you develop hammertoe, there are steps you can take to treat the issue. At home, try wearing comfortable shoes and applying ice to the inflamed area. If at-home treatments do not correct the issue, see a doctor. In rare cases, hammertoe requires surgery.
How to wear shoes for hammertoe?
Choose a shoe that fits you properly. Do not wear shoes that are too big when you're suffering from hammertoe. You should also aim for shoes with a wide toe box, as this can add comfort.
How to treat corns on toes?
Treat corns with pumice stones. If you have corns on your feet, these can exasperate hammertoes. If you develop corns or callouses on the tops of your toes, treat them with pumice stones. You can purchase pumice stones at most drugstores. [8]
Why is my hammertoe so stiff?
In some cases, hammertoe is caused by joints fusing together. In this case, joints will need to be separated surgically and some bones may be removed. Hammertoe surgery is usually not major surgery. Most patients will go home the same day of the operation. Your toe may be stiffer or shorter after surgery.
How to get hammertoe to stop swelling?
Apply ice to an inflamed hammertoe. Hammertoes may develop painful swelling. If this is the case with your hammertoe, an ice pack can help. Apply an ice pack to your toe a few times a day until swelling goes down.
What can you put in a plastic bag for Hammertoe?
If you don't have a commercial ice pack, you can place some ice cubes in a plastic bag to treat hammertoe or use a bag of frozen vegetables, like peas or corn.
What does a doctor do for a foot?
Your doctor will perform a routine exam on your foot. She will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. Your doctor will also want to know what kind of physical activity you engage in and what kinds of shoes you wear.
