Do your toes seem to buckle? Is the knuckle of your toe becoming more prominent, or are the tops of your toes suddenly rubbing against your shoe tops? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have developed a hammertoe deformity. In this post, we explain the cause of this deformity and answer the question, “How do you fix a hammertoe?”
What is the main cause of hammer toes? ![a foot with a hammertoe]()
Imbalances and pressure contribute to the formation of hammertoes. That could be due to biomechanical forces or the very structure of your foot; a family history of hammertoes; a prior injury—especially if you broke your toe previously, and it healed out of alignment; underlying conditions such as diabetes or arthritis that can impact the foot’s mechanics; or poorly-fitted footwear, particularly long term use of high heels or tight-fitting shoes that pinch or cramp your toes, keeping them in a bent position.
In the initial stages of development, internal or external pressure forces your toe joint to bend. If that pressure is not addressed quickly, your body will start changing—the muscles and tendons in your toe can get shorter and tighter as they try to adapt to their new positioning. At this stage of deformity, you may be able to manually straighten out your toe. However, without treatment to address both the bend in your toe and the underlying pressure, your hammertoe could become rigid, requiring surgical correction for relief.
How can I straighten my hammer toes without surgery?
Before a hammertoe becomes rigid and fixed, you can correct the deformity without surgery. Switching to footwear with low heels, plenty of support and lots of room in the toe box can take the pressure off your hammertoe. We can also fit you for custom orthotics to distribute pressure evenly across your foot, addressing any biomechanical issues that contributed to the deformity.
To fix a hammertoe without surgery, we can try taping or splinting the affected digit in a straightened position. (This is only an option if your toe is still flexible.) Physical therapy can also help you stretch the tightened tendons in your affected toe, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication can help manage any pain or inflammation you may be experiencing.
Non-surgical approaches to fix a hammertoe are most successful in the early stages of the deformity. But when these options fail to provide relief, you may need to explore surgical treatment options.
How do you fix a hammertoe?
When non-surgical treatment options fail, or when a deformity is rigid, surgery will be necessary to realign your hammertoe. The approach of the surgery could focus on lengthening impacted tendons; moving bone or fusing your joint to support the toe in a straight position; or using pins or screws to maintain the toe’s alignment in the correct position following surgery. Some of these approaches can be performed by Marietta podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans using minimally invasive surgery techniques, but in some cases, traditional surgery will be your best treatment option. When you come into the office seeking hammertoe correction, we will evaluate your current condition and determine your candidacy for minimally invasive surgical correction.
How painful is hammer toe surgery?
Post-operative pain and the length of your recovery period will vary across patients; your recovery will be shorter and marked by less discomfort if you undergo a minimally invasive procedure. You will likely be placed in a stiff-soled surgical shoe for a week or more following your procedure, depending on the approach used. While everyone is different, most patients can manage their discomfort with rest, ice, elevation and over-the-counter or prescribed medication. Following all post-surgical care instructions will help you feel your best and ensure optimal healing.
What happens if hammertoe is left untreated?
We know that the idea of surgery to fix a hammertoe can be intimidating. But leaving your deformity untreated can lead to further complications. Without intervention, hammertoes become rigid, causing significant discomfort. Walking can become difficult, and you’ll be more likely to develop calluses and corns.
Ideally, patients will try to fix a hammertoe in the early stages of development, when it’s flexible and can be corrected without surgery. But if your toe is already rigid, we encourage you to seek a surgical consultation now, before you experience further pain and complications.
When to see a podiatrist
How can you fix a hammertoe without surgery? Come see Dr. Cowans in his Powder Springs podiatry practice at the first sign of deformity. If there’s even a slight bend in the middle of your toe; if the top of your toe is red or swollen, or a corn has developed in the area, now is the time to see our podiatrist. Just call us at 770-727-0614 or follow this link to request an appointment.
