Hammertoe Treatment

Hammertoe treatment can vary depending on the severity of your hammertoe. A hammertoe is a contracture of the toe due to a muscle imbalance between the tendons on the top and the tendons on the bottom of the toe.

Hammertoes can be either flexible or rigid in nature. With a rigid hammertoe it is not possible to straighten the toe out by manipulating it.

Rigid hammertoes often develop corns on the top of the toe as a result of rubbing on the shoe. Flexible hammertoes are considered less serious. This type of hammertoe is still moveable at the joint. Flexible hammertoes can be diagnosed and treated while still in the development stage. There are three types of hammertoe treatments.

The first type of hammertoe treatment is preventative. This type of treatment is directed toward the cause of the deformity. A special insert called a functional orthotic can be prescribed by your doctor to correct the abnormal functioning of the foot that causes the hammertoe. Functional orthotics slow down this gradual change in the foot. When used for flexible hammertoes the toes will straighten out and correct themselves. Stretching the calf can also help overcome part of the muscle imbalance that causes the hammertoe.

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Symptomatic treatment of hammertoes is the second type of treatment. This type of treatment consists of such things as open toed shoes or hammertoe pads. Over the counter corn removers can also help with relieving painful calluses and corns seen with hammertoes.

A third type of hammertoe treatment is called curative treatment. This type of treatment varies depending upon the severity of the deformity. For flexible hammertoes a tendon release procedure works well with little recovery time. Often rigid hammertoes require surgery. This consists of removing the damaged skin where the corn is present. Then a small section of the bone is removed at the level of the rigid joint. With severe hammertoe deformity a pin may be required to hold the toe in place and fuse the bones in the toe.

Selecting the proper hammertoe treatment can depend on the severity of your hammertoe. Whether you have a flexible or rigid hammertoe also plays an important role in which treatment options are best for you. See your doctor to discuss your hammertoe treatment options.