What You Need to Know About Hammer Toe

When you notice one of your toes starting to bend or curl downward, even the simple act of walking can become painful. This common condition, known as hammer toe, affects millions of Americans each year.

At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers in Gilbert and Chandler, our team of foot care specialists provides personalized treatment plans to help East Valley residents maintain their active lifestyle without letting toe deformities slow them down. If you're concerned about changes in your toe alignment, keep reading to learn more about hammer toe causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What's a Hammer Toe?

This condition develops when the middle joint of a toe becomes bent, causing the toe to curl downward instead of lying flat. This condition most commonly affects the second, third, or fourth toes. The abnormal bending places excessive pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, leading to discomfort and potential complications if left untreated.

Here are some of the most common causes of hammer toe development:

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes, particularly those with a narrow toe box or high heels, places unnatural pressure on your toes. Over time, this pressure can force your toes into a bent position that becomes increasingly difficult to straighten.
• Muscle imbalances in your feet can cause your toes to contract abnormally. These imbalances may result from underlying conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or previous injuries.
• Some people inherit foot structures that make them more susceptible to developing hammer toes. Factors like having unusually long toes or certain arch types can increase your risk.

Recognizing Hammer Toe Symptoms

Early identification of hammer toe symptoms allows for more effective treatment. We encourage our patients to watch for these warning signs:

• Pain or discomfort when walking.
• Difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
• Corns or calluses developing on the affected toe.
• Inflammation or redness around the bent joint.
• Limited toe mobility.

How Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers Treat Hammer Toe 

Our team of highly skilled podiatrists has several decades of combined experience, so you can trust that we have numerous hammer toe treatment options to address your needs. 

Conservative treatments often include:

• Custom orthotics to redistribute pressure
• Toe exercises and stretches
• Padding and taping techniques
• Shoe modifications

For more severe cases, we may recommend:

• Advanced therapeutic modalities
• Minimally invasive procedures
• State-of-the-art surgical correction when necessary

Don't let complications from a hammer toe limit your daily activities. It's our mission to deliver world-class foot and ankle services to help you get back on your feet, doing what you love, pain-free.