Your crooked toes may not only look strange, they may be painful, too. So whether you have hammertoe, claw toe, mallet toe or curly toe–they are all conditions that can cause pain and problems in your toes and feet. Hammertoe is one of the most common toe conditions of the group. So, what is a hammertoe? Read on to learn about the cause, symptoms and treatment of hammertoes.
What is a Hammertoe?
Hammertoe occurs when your toe bends down in the middle and curls up at the end, making your toe look like a hammer. Hammertoe can affect any toe on your foot, but most often it affects the second or third toe.
Hammertoes can be caused, in part, by an imbalance of the ligaments and muscles in your toes. Your muscles work in pairs to straighten and bend the toes. When there is an imbalance, your muscles tighten and over time your toe can no longer be straightened.
Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly can also lead to hammertoes. Shoes that force your toe into a bent position for long periods of time can cause your muscles to shorten. High heeled shoes or shoes that crowd your toes and force them into the narrowest part of your shoe are good examples. Your toes are forced to “grip” the bottom of the shoe to keep from being pushed into a tight area.
Normally when you walk, your toes extend or straighten. If your toes are crushed into a space that is too narrow or short, they may not have the room to extend and will tend to bend rather than straighten. Over time this makes it difficult for the toes to straighten, even when barefoot.
Additionally, if you have high arches or a natural tendency to keep your toes flexed, this can also contribute to hammertoes. Some health conditions including arthritis, diabetes, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, bunions and Morton’s toe can also lead to the development of hammertoes.
Can Hammertoes Cause Problems?
Any change in your feet that alters how your weight is distributed when you’re walking has the potential to cause a problem. How severe the problem is depends on how severe the condition is. When your toe is in a permanently bent position, the end of your toe may take an extreme amount of pressure– resulting in calluses. The middle joint of your toe may also rub against your shoe causing painful corns, calluses or skin irritation on the top of your toe.
Treatment for Hammertoes
Usually when the top of your toe begins to rub against your shoe, the decision is made to do something about it. The 3pp Toe Loops can be helpful by cushioning your toes to relieve the rubbing and irritation caused by your shoes pressing on your toes.
It’s important to consult with your healthcare professional to get a correct diagnosis. Without proper treatment, hammertoes may become permanent and can only be corrected by surgery.
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Our blogs are educational in nature and are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Because your condition is unique to you, it is recommended that you consult with your health care provider before attempting any medical or therapeutic treatments. We are always happy to answer questions about products mentioned in our blogs, however, we cannot provide a diagnosis or medical advice.
I was wondering if I decided that I don’t want surgery on my hamer toe will it effect on me in the future??
Devanta, Thank you for your question. As we are not medical professionals we are unable to provide medical advice or diagnose health conditions. With that said, if your toes have been crooked or angled for a long time, it is likely surgery may be the only way to permanently correct them. If, however, you have just started experiencing hammertoes wearing a 3pp Toe Loop and doing some careful stretching exercises may lead to improvement. We recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider or a podiatrist who can provide you with accurate information and the appropriate treatment options. We wish you all the best and hope you get the necessary help soon.
My second toe is misshapen but today it’s as if it’s been rigbarked. A ring halfway down separates swollen end from rest. Help
Hi Ann, I’m sorry to hear about your toe. As we are not medical professionals, we suggest consulting with your healthcare provider for a correct diagnosis and treatment. After you receive your diagnosis, 3pp Toe Loops may help with your toe pain. 3pp Toe Loops protect and support hammertoes, overlapping toes, claw toes and jammed or broken toes
Hello,
I want to straighten my one last toe as I am really ashamed when I walk barefoot. what can I do and does a band really help?
Hello, Toe Loops are a simple, comfortable way to re-position your toes if they are crossing over, bending upwards in a hammertoe position or rotating or twisting. If your toes have been crooked or angled for a long time, it is not likely a Toe Loop alone will retrain or correct the problem. If the tendons or ligaments have shortened or the bones inside your toes have formed lumps or twisted, surgery may be the only way to permanently correct them. If, however, you have just started experiencing toe problems wearing a Toe Loop can lead to a permanent improvement. We also suggest consulting with your healthcare provider.
I appreciate how you said that hammertoe occurs when your toe starts to bend in the middle and then curves up at the end. My wife has been telling me about how she thinks that her toe is crooked, and she wants to get it straightened out. I’ll pass this information along to her so that she can look into her options for getting her toe fixed.