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Hammer Toes
A
hammer toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP joint (middle joint in
the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons
that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. Hammer toes
may occur in any toe, except the big toe. There is often discomfort at
the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe.
Hammer toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There
are two types - flexible and rigid. In a flexible hammer toe, the joint
has the ability to move. This type of hammer toe can be straightened
manually. A
rigid hammer toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is
very limited and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot
movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the
ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development of corns
and calluses.
CAUSE
Hammer toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and
tendons to become unnaturally tight. This results in the joint curling
downwards. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot
deformities, including hammer toes.
TREATMENT & PREVENTION
Changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step in the
treatment of hammer toes. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box
(toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the hammer toes. A shoe
with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area
so that there is less friction against the toes.
Other conservative treatments include using forefoot products designed to
relieve hammer toes, such as hammer toe crests and hammer toe splints.
These devices will help hold down the hammer toe and provide relief to the
forefoot. Gel toe shields and gel toe caps are also recommended to
eliminate friction between the shoe and the toe, while providing comfort
and lubrication.
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