What is hammer toe?
![Hammer Toe](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/foot-reconstruction.jpg?output-quality=75)
Hammer toe (or hammertoe) is a deformity in which one of your toes bends to point downward instead of forward, resembling a hammer. The middle joint curls to point upward, and the end of the toe curls under. It can happen to any toe but it most frequently occurs in the second or third toe.
The primary symptom of hammer toe is the upward bend in the middle toe joint. Early on, you may be able to straighten the toe out to its normal position. Over time, however, the toe becomes stiffer and less able to return to a typical position. This can lead to pain with walking, or the formation of blisters, calluses, or corns.
Hammer toe is typically caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight, like pointed high heels. Children can also develop hammer toe if they wear shoes that are too small.
Other causes of hammer toe include an injury, arthritis, genetics, diabetes, and age. While you can get hammer toe at any age, it is more likely as you get older.
Diagnosis for hammer toe
Your doctor will diagnose hammer toe with a physical examination of your foot.
In certain cases, your doctor may take an x-ray of your foot to further understand the bone positions. If you have any loss of sensation in your foot, your doctor may also perform tests to assess the nerves in your foot and toes.
Treatments for hammer toe
Hammer toe is a progressive condition, which means that it will continue to get worse without medical intervention. It is not something that will heal up on its own.
Nonsurgical treatment
If your doctor diagnoses hammer toe early, when you still have a significant amount of flexibility and movement in your toe, they may suggest non-surgical treatment. These approaches can straighten a toe that is starting to bend and help change the way that weight is distributed across your foot.
These options include:
- Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling
- Over-the-counter pads and cushions to reduce foot and toe pain
- Orthotic shoe inserts to redistribute pressure
- Exercises or therapy to increase muscle tone and balance
- Steroid injections into the affected joint to decrease inflammation
Your doctor may also suggest a change in shoes. Wearing shoes that are the right size and that offer some space for movement in the toe box (the part of shoes that protects the toes) can alleviate the pressure that worsens hammer toe.
Hammer toe surgery
If non-surgical options are not effective, or if your hammer toe is very stiff or painful, your doctor might recommend surgery. Depending on the specific factors causing your hammer toe, surgery may take a different approach. A surgeon will usually perform hammer toe surgery with a local anesthetic. You should be able to go home the same day.
One surgical option for hammer toe is tendon lengthening. In this procedure, a surgeon lengthens the tendon in the affected toe (or toes) to provide more flexibility.
Another option is called a tendon transfer. This procedure involves moving part of a tendon from the bottom of the toe to the top to provide more flexibility and movement in the toe.
A third surgical procedure is called arthrodesis (joint fusion). Your doctor may place metal pins or screws in your toes during the surgery, which they will need to remove a few weeks later. This surgery fuses, or internally immobilizes, the toe joints to create more stability and allow for bone growth.
Hammer toe surgery recovery
Though most people can bear weight on their foot immediately after hammer toe surgery, total recovery takes between 4 and 6 weeks. You will likely need to wear a special shoe or boot. Your toe and foot will have some redness, swelling, and pain after surgery.
Some hammer toe surgery is more extensive, and you may need crutches or a wheelchair afterwards. Be sure to ask your doctor about how to best limit your activities to let your toes heal.
If you have stitches, screws, or pins that your doctor will remove later, you may not be able to get your foot wet while bathing or swimming. If your surgery is on your right foot, you may not be able to drive for a few weeks.
If your doctor places pins during your surgery to keep your toes straight while they heal, they will remove them 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery. Removal is usually not painful because the pins begin to loosen on their own during your recovery.
Keeping your foot elevated after hammer toe surgery can help minimize swelling and pain in your foot. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine or recommend a certain kind of over-the-counter medication for pain management. Ice packs or cold compresses may help minimize swelling and pain, too.
Possible complications and side effects
All surgery includes risks of complications. Complications to hammer toe surgery are not common, but you should discuss them with your doctor. The possible complications and side effects of hammer toe surgery are:
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Infection
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Loss of stability in the toe
- Bones that do not heal after fusion
Most hammer toe surgery is successful, but your hammer toe may return after surgery. If this is the case, your doctor will again consider non-surgical interventions, or possibly a second surgery.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foot_problems_photo_of_womans_feet_s1.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Common Causes of Foot Pain See SlideshowAdvanced Foot & Ankle Care Centers: "Hammer Toe."
FamilyDoctor.org: "Hammer Toe."
Franciscan Health: "Surgical Correction for Painful Hammer Toe"
FootCareMD: "What is Hammertoe Surgery?"
Foot Health Facts: "Hammertoe."
NYU Langone Health: "Nonsurgical Treatment for Hammertoe"
OrthoInfo: "Hammer Toe."
Top Is Hammer Toe Surgery Painful Related Articles
cryoprecipitate
Cryoprecipitate is a blood product containing specialized insoluble blood proteins known as coagulation factors that regulate the clotting and clot-dissolving processes. Cryoprecipitate is obtained from plasma, the fluid component of blood, and is used to treat patients with blood clotting (coagulation) disorders and to control hemorrhage during major surgery or during and after childbirth. Common side effects of cryoprecipitate include transfusion-related complications, allergic reactions, and post-transfusion bruising (purpura).Feet Facts Quiz
Did you know that certain shoes and common diseases can wreak havoc on your feet? If you've been having problems with your feet, this quiz is for you.Foot Pain
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.Foot Pain Slideshow
Learn about common causes of foot pain such as bunions, corns, athlete's foot, plantar warts and more. Get the latest information on treatments for foot pain.Hammertoes Picture
A hammertoe is a toe that is bent because of a weakened muscle. See a picture of Hammertoes and learn more about the health topic.propofol
Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic drug used for general anesthesia and sedation during surgical procedures. Common side effects of propofol include injection site burning, stinging or pain; low blood pressure (hypotension), reduced cardiac output, elevated blood pressure (hypertension), pause in breathing (apnea), lung impairment (respiratory acidosis), impaired movement, high level of emulsified fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and high triglyceride level in blood (hypertriglyceridemia). Abuse of propofol can cause death and other injuries.succinylcholine
Succinylcholine is a skeletal muscle relaxant used for medical procedures done under general anesthesia, including tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and surgeries. Common side effects of succinylcholine include postoperative muscle pain, jaw rigidity, muscle twitch (fasciculation), respiratory depression, cessation of breathing (apnea), low or high blood pressure (hypotension or hypertension), irregular heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias), slow or rapid heartbeat (bradycardia or tachycardia), cardiac arrest, increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia), severe life-threatening drug reaction with excessively high temperature (malignant hyperthermia), salivary gland enlargement, excessive salivation, rash, hypersensitivity reactions, and others.What Is Reconstructive Foot Surgery?
Foot reconstruction is a surgery performed to correct the anatomy of the foot and restore function lost due to trauma, birth defects, infection and other illnesses. Foot reconstruction considers the tissue reconstruction, function restoration, cosmetic rehabilitation and whether the foot can or should be saved by reconstructing. Severe foot conditions often require long-term care and rehabilitation. Many foot injuries result from motor vehicle or work-related accidents.The Worst Shoes for Your Feet
Stilettos, platforms or flip-flops... which are the worst shoes for your feet? See how some of the hottest styles can be torture on your feet, learn how damage and foot pain can occur, and discover how to stop foot pain.