Hammer toes: Symptoms, causes & diagnosis

Hammer toes occur when the second, third, fourth or fifth toe is bent in the middle, giving them a hammer shape. Also known as mallet toes or claw toes, hammer toes are caused by an imbalance in connective tissues such as tendons or ligaments. Most commonly, wearing ill-fitting shoes makes the condition worse.

Advocate Health Care’s orthopedic center offers both nonsurgical and surgical orthopedic treatment to get you back on your feet, pain-free. In addition to treating hammer toes, our experts are highly skilled in other foot and ankle conditions such as plantar fasciitis, sprains, joint pain and more – and are conveniently located throughout Chicagoland.

What are the symptoms & causes of hammer toe?

The most common symptom of hammer toe is an abnormal bend or deformity in the middle joint of the toe. Toe calluses or corns and foot pain or toe pain are other signs to look for.

Typically, a few things contribute to hammer toes:

• Muscle imbalance: Normal toe movement is controlled by pairs of muscles, but these muscles can get too tight if a toe stays bent for too long.
• Shoes: Footwear, such as high heels, pointy-toed shoes or shoes that are too narrow, can abnormally bend the toes and cause them to overlap.
• Injury: If you jam or break a toe, that injury may increase your chances of developing hammer toe.

Are hammer toes inherited?

Family history of hammer toes may mean you’re more prone to developing hammer toe. You may also be at risk for the condition if you have any of the following:

• Flat feet
• High arches
• Tight tendons or ligaments in your feet
• Second toes that are longer than your big toes
• Bunions, which can put pressure on your second toe

Can hammer toes be straightened without surgery?

Most often, noninvasive methods of treatment are the go-to for fixing hammer toe. When hammer toe is in the beginning stages, the deformity can be corrected with special exercises and footwear.

Your doctor may suggest these nonsurgical treatments:

• The right footwear: Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes with more room in the toe box.
• Orthotics: Use custom shoe inserts molded by your feet.
• Toe exercises: Stretching, picking up items from the floor using your toes or scrunching a towel with them can help keep them limber.
• Straps or cushions: Use these to help straighten the toes and relieve symptoms.

What are the treatments for hammer toe?

Your doctor’s first step in diagnosing hammer toe will be to examine your toes and feet for pain or deformities. X-rays may be needed to show the joints and bones in your feet. From there, orthopedists, podiatrists, primary care doctors, and physical therapy specialists can work together to find the best treatment possible.

If hammer toe becomes too advanced, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the condition. Learn more about podiatric surgery at Advocate.