A hammer toe is a toe which is bent. The tip of this toe striking the floor (or sole inside a shoe) resembles the action of a hammer pounding the pavement. Although any of the toes can be affected, the second toe is the most common.
Hammer toes often have a corn, callus or discoloration on the top or at the tip of the toe. People with hammer toes may also feel pain and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. Left untreated, hammer toes can become
rigid.
Treatment for a hammer toe
Conservative treatment for hammer toes typically involves wearing shoes with roomy toe boxes, nonmedicated pads, and speciality straps. For some, relief requires surgery to correct the deformity.
A careful examination with x-rays (done in our office) are needed to determine the most appropriate treatment available.
