Hammer toe is when the middle joint of the middle toe curls down and the toe will become hammer-shaped. While typically on the second, third, or fourth toe, it can be on any toe except the big toe. Flexible hammer toe can be cured nonsurgically when first bent. If untreated, it will be stiff and become surgical. With knowledge of the Hammer toe causes, Hammer toe symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and Preventing hammer toe, mobility and Hammer toe complications can be evaded.

What is Hammer Toe?

Hammer toe is a deformity that occurs due to an imbalance of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles that keep the toes in their normal, straight position. The asymmetrical stress on the joints produced by the imbalance causes the toes to buckle down in a hammer-like fashion.
There are two general categories:

  • Flexible hammer toe: The joint is still flexible. It is the first one and the easiest to treat.
  • Rigid hammer toe: The toe becomes rigid and can no longer be pushed, not even with fingers. This one requires surgery most of the time.
Hammer toe and mallet toe are different. Be aware that hammer toe needs to be separated from mallet toe. Hammer toe is middle toe joint deformity and mallet toe is distal joint deformity. As close as resemblance between the two can be, treatment by type and severity of deformity differs.

Causes of Hammer Toe

Hammer toe does not develop overnight. Hammer toe develops over time as the joints in the toe are repeatedly pushed out of their natural position. Hammer toe occurs due to:

  • Wrong Shoes: Tight, high-heeled or short shoes force toes together and bend them in an unnatural position. The toes adjust and finally deform to stay in this position.
  • Muscles relieve balance: To the toes should stay in place there are muscles and tendons acting as balance at really fine lines. When a group of these muscles slides over another one, it displaces the joint from its neutral position.
  • Genetics: Foot type, born from the ancestry of flat feet, high arches, second toes longer than first, predisposes them to hammer toe.
  • Arthritis and joint diseases: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or other arthropathies weaken the joints of the toes making them deformable.
  • Trauma: The toe either crushes, stabs, or even fractures, displacing the location of the joints, which leads to a hammer toe condition.
  • Other Foot Disorders: Bunions, calluses, and corns redistribute foot weight, opening room for hammer toe.

Symptoms of Common Hammer Toe

Early diagnosis of hammer toe symptomatology optimizes treatment. The symptoms also change according to hammer toe stages:
Early stage (flexible hammer toe):

  • "Napping" or downward bowstringing of the toe but correctable
  • Minimal pain when clothed
  • Corns or callus formation on the dorsal surface of the flexed joint
Moderate stage:

  • Pain of the toe during walking or standing
  • Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the toe joint
  • Pressure sores on the toe due to shoes incorrect
Late stage (stiff hammer toe):

  • Toe cannot be straightened even by hand
  • Pain and restricted movement
  • Enhanced risk of ulceration, especially in diabetics

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Diagnosis of Hammer Toe

Hammer toe diagnosis will begin with a routine physical checkup. A podiatrist or an orthopedic physician will:

  • Test the toe range of motion in order to know whether it is stiff or flexible or otherwise
  • Examine for the presence of ulcers, calluses, or corns that have developed
  • Inquire about lifestyle, shoe wear, and background
  • Order an X-ray if needed to determine the severity of the deformity

Treatment Modalities of Hammer Toe


Non-Surgical Hammer Toe Repair

Conservative treatment can prove adequate for mid- or early stage cases. A common utilization as a Non-surgical treatment for hammer toe is outlined as follows:

  • Shoe modification: One can wear one's foot in low-heeled shoes with soft bottoms and broadened toe boxes to ease pressure.
  • Orthotics and hammer toe shoes: Orthotics could have been molded to correct the toes and avoid further formation.
  • Toe exercise: Toes are kept in good and flexible state with towel scrunches, marble pickup, and toe taps.
  • Splints and straps: Splints or straps keep the toe in correct position with caution.
  • Medication: Pharmacy anti-inflammatory medications consumed over-the-counter reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Padding: Corn pads or cushion guard inner shoes from rubbing.

Surgical Treatment for Hammer Toe

If conservative management does not work and the toe is stiff, hammer toe surgery may be done. Some of the procedures include:

  • Tendon release: Incision or transfer of the tendon to reduce tension.
  • Joint resection: Bone removal from a segment so the toe is straightened.
  • Fusion: Placement of bent bones in the joint of the toe together to straighten the toe.
Hammer toe recovery time will depend on the procedure type. They can bear weight in weeks or days but may require 6–12 weeks to completely recover. Orthotics and physical therapy are added most often to the recovery.

Prevention Tips of Hammer Toe

Prevention of hammer toe is best. Unobtrusive modifications in lifestyle can significantly lower risk:

  • Wear proper shoes: Choose shoes with roomy toe boxes and cushioned insoles. Do not wear tight shoes or shoes that push the toes against the floor.
  • Wear high heels sparingly: High heels relocate body weight to the front and stretch the toes. If high heels must be worn, limit heels to less than two inches.
  • Do hammer toe exercises regularly: Hammer toe exercises stretch and strengthen the toes to ensure muscle balance.
  • Take weight-bearing activity to a normal level: Overweight foot stresses it, speeding joint deformity.
  • Examine feet daily: Diabetics and arthritics must examine their feet daily for deformity or ulcer.
  • Utilize orthotics, if necessary: Preparative inserts will correct alignment and stabilize long-term.

Hammer Toe and Coping With It

Lifestyle changes can enhance comfort as well as life quality in individuals who already have hammer toe:

  • Wear cushioned insoles to bear down.
  • Use socks of a kind that has sufficient ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Soak the feet in warm water to ease soreness and stiffness.
  • Note the skin carefully to avoid infection from corn or ulcer.
  • Regularly perform exercises to attain joint elasticity.

Conclusion

Hammer toe is a disorder of foot deformity that may start with minor pain but, left untreated, may result in complete mobility issues. Hammer toe is triggered by a plurality of reasons such as heredity, ill-fitting shoes, trauma, and arthritis. Effective treatment, in most cases without surgery, will be guaranteed by early detection of the symptoms of hammer toe and adhering to early detection.

From Hammer toe orthotics and shoes and complete surgical correction, the patient has a number of options from which they can choose to correct the deformity. Preventive medicine, exercise for the toes, proper overweighting, and proper shoes are still best.

Please book an appointment with the best Orthopedic Surgeon in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.