Hammer Toe Specialist

What is hammertoe?

Hammertoe occurs when your toe bends abnormally at one or both of its joints. This condition can occur in any toe except the big toe. Although hammertoe is common, it’s also painful and inconvenient. In addition, it can cause other problems with the feet, including:

• Corns: On the top, end, or side of the toe
• Calluses: On the ball of the foot or the bottom of the toes
• Pain or irritation: When the toes rub against a shoe

What causes hammertoe?

The most common causes of this condition include:

• Trauma to the toe
• Imbalances in the toe muscles that cause the toe to contract
• Wearing high-heeled shoes or other shoes that put too much pressure on the toes
• Women develop hammertoe more often than men, most likely due to footwear. Your chance of getting hammertoe increases with age, and it’s more common among people with arthritis or diabetes.

How does Dr. Genkin diagnose hammertoe?

Dr. Genkin can usually diagnose hammertoe simply by looking at your toes and asking questions about your symptoms. However, before treating your condition, he will also take the time to learn about your medical history and lifestyle so he can identify any factors that may have contributed to the problem.

What treatments are available?

If you have hammertoe, you may benefit from:

• Splinting the affected toe
• Padding corns and calluses that sometimes form along with this condition
• Trimming corns and calluses
• Taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Wearing custom orthotic devices or footwear

In cases where hammertoe is severe or doesn’t respond to less invasive treatments, Dr. Genkin may recommend surgery. The purpose of hammertoe surgery is to release the tendon that prevents your toe from lying flat.

In addition to treating your hammertoe, Dr. Genkin will also help you understand why the condition developed and suggest changes you can make to prevent similar problems in the future.

Does hammertoe always require treatment?

If you don’t get the treatment you need for hammertoe, your symptoms will continue to get worse. Eventually, your toes may become rigid, and you may even develop open sores in the area. To prevent these complications, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.