Endeavor Rehab Center
Request an Appointment Physician Referral Patient Forms Blog
  • Home
  • Meet Our Providers
  • Physical Therapy
  • Hand Therapy
  • Dry Needling
  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Locations
    • Austin, TX (North Central)
    • Austin, TX (North West)
    • Austin, TX (South)
    • Cedar Park, TX
    • Round Rock, TX
    • Manor, TX
  • Contact

Hammer Toe

Back to Patient Education
  • Introduction
  • Anatomy
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Surgery
  • Treatment
  • Recovery
  • Prevention

Introduction

Hammertoe most commonly affects the second toe on the foot.  It causes the middle joint to bend.  Hammertoe is most frequently caused by structural problems in the toe or from wearing poor fitting shoes.  It is important to diagnose and treat hammertoe early because the condition tends to become worse over time.  If left untreated, hammertoe can require surgery.
Back to top

Anatomy

Your toes are part of your forefoot. They help you balance, walk, and move.  Your big toe (hallux) contains two bones (phalanges).  Your second through fifth toes contain three bones.  On these toes, hammertoe results when the middle joint is bent (contracted).
Back to top

Causes

Hammertoe commonly develops because of structural changes that take place over time in the muscles and tendons that bend the toes.  People with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, are at risk for developing hammertoe.  It can be an inherited condition for some people.  Other causes include trauma and wearing shoes that are too tight, narrow, or have high heels.  The toe next to the big toe (second toe) is most frequently affected by hammertoe.
Back to top

Symptoms

The symptoms of hammertoe are progressive, meaning that they get worse over time.  Hammertoe causes the middle joint on the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes to bend.  The affected toe may be painful or irritated, especially when you wear shoes.  Areas of thickened skin (corns) may develop between, on top of, or at the end of your toes.  Thickened skin (calluses) may also appear on the bottom of your toe or the ball of your foot.  It may be difficult to find a pair of shoes that is comfortable to wear.
Back to top

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose hammertoe by reviewing your medical history and examining your foot.  In most cases, X-rays are taken.
Back to top

Surgery

Surgery is used when other types of treatment fail to relieve symptoms or for advanced cases of hammertoe.  There are several types of surgeries to treat hammertoe.  A small piece of bone may be removed from the joint (arthroplasty).  The toe joint may be fused to straighten it (arthrodesis). Surgical hardware, such as a pin, may be used to hold the bones in place while they heal.  Other types of surgery involve removing skin (wedging) or correcting muscles and tendons to balance the joint.  
Back to top

Treatment

There are many non-surgical treatments to help relieve symptoms of hammertoe. The first step for many people is wearing the right size and type of shoe.  Low-heeled shoes with a boxy or roomy toe area are helpful.  Cushioned insoles, customized orthopedic inserts, and pads can provided relief as well.  Splints or straps may be used to help correct toe position. 
 
Your doctor or physical therapist may show you toe stretches and exercises to perform.  Your doctor can safely remove corns and calluses.  You should not try to remove them at home.
Back to top

Recovery

Recovery from non-surgical and surgical treatment for hammertoe is individualized.  Recovery can depend on several factors, including the cause and extent of your condition and the type of treatment you received.  Your doctor will let you know what to expect.
Back to top

Prevention

It is important to visit a foot specialist if you develop hammertoe.  Early treatment can help prevent future deformities.  Hammertoe that is not treated can become worse over time, requiring surgery.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on April 13th, 2016. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

  • Home
  • Meet Our Providers
  • Physical Therapy
  • Hand Therapy
  • Dry Needling
  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Locations
  • Contact
  • Request an Appointment
  • Physician Referral
  • Patient Forms
  • Patient Education
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

 

  • Patient's Choice Award Winner
    2015 winner of the Physical Therapy patient's choice awards in Austin, TX. Verified by Opencare.com
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Four Points (North West)
    6911 Ranch Road 620 North, Suite B-201
    Austin, TX 78732
    Phone: (512) 467-4546
    Fax: (512) 467-4567
    Monday – Thursday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Physical Therapy (North Central)
    1033 La Posada Drive, Suite 230
    Austin, TX 78752
    Phone: (512) 284-7192
    Fax: (512) 284-7203
    Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Physical Therapy (South Austin)
    321 W. Ben White Boulevard, Suite 101
    Austin, TX 78704
    Phone: (512) 215-9272
    Fax: (512) 215-8934
    Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Physical Therapy (Round Rock)
    896 Summit St. Suite 102
    Round Rock, TX 78664
    Phone: (512) 599-4262
    Fax: (512) 599-4278
    Monday – Thursday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Physical Therapy (Manor)
    11300 Hwy. 290 E Building 1, Suite 140
    Manor, Texas 78653
    Phone: (512) 852-8004
    Fax: (512) 852-8077
    Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review
  • www.endeavorrehab.com
    Endeavor Rehab Center
    Endeavor Physical Therapy (Cedar Park)
    1120 Cottonwood Creek Trail Bldg B Ste 220
    Cedar Park, TX 78613
    Phone: (737) 843-7014
    Fax: (737) 843-7016
    Monday – Thursday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Leave Us A Review

Copyright © Endeavor Physical Therapy. All rights reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Endeavor Physical Therapy is an outpatient physical and hand therapy clinic that provides premier physical therapy intervention to patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries pre-operatively or post operatively. At Endeavor Physical Therapy, our providers offer Physical Therapy, Hand Therapy, Dry Needling, and a Workers' Compensation Program to patients in the Austin, Texas area.