Hammertoes

Understanding Hammertoes: A Patient’s Guide

A hammertoe is a deformity that causes one or more of your toes to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward. This most commonly affects the second, third, or fourth toes. While it may start as a mild flexible issue, over time the toe can become rigid and painful.

Symptoms to Watch For

• Abnormal Bend: The middle joint of the toe stays bent upward, while the tip points down.
• Pain: Discomfort on the top of the bent joint or at the tip of the toe, especially when wearing shoes.
• Corns and Calluses: Thickened skin on the top of the joint or the tip of the toe caused by constant rubbing against footwear.
• Redness and Swelling: Inflammation around the affected joint.
• Difficulty Walking: Pain can change the way you walk, leading to secondary issues in the ball of the foot.

Conservative Treatment Options

If the toe is still flexible, non-surgical treatments are often highly effective at managing pain and preventing the deformity from worsening.

• Roomy Footwear: Switching to shoes with a deep "toe box" to prevent the top of the toe from rubbing.
• Padding and Taping: Using non-medicated corn pads or "buddy taping" the affected toe to its neighbor to encourage a straighter position.
• Orthotics: Custom or over-the-counter shoe inserts can help redistribute pressure and address the underlying muscle imbalance.
• Stretching Exercises: Gently stretching the toes to keep the joints flexible and the muscles balanced.
• Splinting: Wearing a small splint or "hammer toe regulator" to hold the toe in a flatter position.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgery is recommended when the hammertoe becomes "rigid" (it can no longer be straightened by hand) or when pain interferes with daily activities despite conservative care.

• Tendon Lengthening or Transfer: Adjusting the tendons to allow the toe to lay flat.
• Arthrodesis (Fusion): Removing the joint surfaces and using a small pin or internal implant to allow the bones to fuse together in a straight position.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Utilizing small incisions to correct the deformity with less tissue trauma.

Patient Outcomes & Expectations

Clinical data and PubMed reviews indicate that hammertoe correction has a high success rate for pain relief and functional improvement.

The Recovery Timeline

• The First 2 Weeks: You will likely wear a specialized "post-op" stiff-soled shoe to protect the toe.
• Weeks 2–6: Stitches are removed. You may transition into a wide sneaker. If pins were used, they are typically removed in the office during this window.
• Month 3+: Swelling continues to subside, and most patients return to normal activities and standard footwear.

Patient Tip: Many patients wait years to address hammertoes because they fear a long recovery. However, modern surgical techniques often allow for immediate weight-bearing in a protective shoe, making the process much more manageable than in the past.

Schedule an appointment with Dr Sandhu today to discuss your options!

2120 N. MacArthur Blvd
Irving, TX 75061
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