IT'S HAMMERTOE TIME

A Hammertoe deformity causes the toe to curve downward as though it is attempting to grip the floor. This deformity is most frequently seen in the smaller four toes rather than the great toe.

There is a thick fat pad on the bottom of each toe that provides cushion for the toe. If the toe is attempting to grip the floor the tip of the toe is pressing against the weightbearing surface and this can cause pain.

There is not much cushion at the tip of the toe. This gripping action also causes the toe to cock up in the middle which may cause the toe to push on the top of the shoe causing pain.

A hammertoe deformity is classified as either rigid or flexible. If the toe can be straightened out the deformity is flexible. If one or both joints are frozen such that the toe cannot be straightened out the deformity is rigid.

The Cause
The cause of a hammertoe deformity is a muscle imbalance which causes the muscles that flex the toe downward to overpower the muscles that straighten the toe out. When the arch collapses at a time that it should not the flexor muscles to the lesser toes are given a mechanical advantage over the extensor muscles and the toes flex.

If the toes remain flexed for a long enough period of time the deformity can become rigid, the joints no longer have the capability of straightening out. Preventative treatment of hammertoe is directed toward the cause of the deformity.

Preventative Treatment
A functional orthotic is a special insert that can be prescribed by your podiatrist to address the abnormal functioning of the foot that causes the hammertoe deformity.

Functional orthotics can be thought of as contact lenses for your feet. They correct a number of foot problems that are caused by an abnormally functioning foot. Our feet, much like our eyes, change with time. Functional orthotics slow down or halt this gradual change in the foot.

Symptomatic Treatment
Symptomatic treatment of hammertoes consists of such things as open toed shoes or hammertoe pads. There are over the counter corn removers that are marketed to remove painful calluses. These corn remover medications should not be used. These are usually acid preparations that can cause severe burns and tissue destruction.

Surgical Treatment
When the hammertoe is flexible, a simple tendon release in the toe works well. The recovery is rapid often requiring nothing more that a single stitch and a Band-Aid. Of course if several toes are done at the same time, the recovery may take a bit longer.

For the surgical correction of a rigid hammertoe, the surgical procedure consists of removal of a portion of bone at the frozen joint or joints. This is a more involved procedure and requires more time off work to allow healing to proceed efficiently.