Mission Medical Plaza (949) 276-8900
26800 Crown Valley Pkwy, Ste. 320
Mission Viejo, California 92691
COMMON CONDITIONS
Hammer toes
WHAT ARE HAMMER TOES?
In general, the term “hammer toe” describes a buckling of any of the toe joints. Joints at the end or middle of the toe, as well as the joint near the ball of the foot, may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a muscle imbalance or tight tendons. Hammer toes vary in severity and in the number of joints and toes involved.
TYPES OF HAMMER TOES Hammer toes may be flexible or rigid, depending on the joint’s ability to move. A flexible joint may become more rigid as you age.
A FLEXIBLE JOINT You can straighten a flexible hammer toe with your fingers. Although they look painful, flexible hammer toes may not hurt. A RIGID JOINT A rigid hammer toe cannot be moved, even with the fingers. Rigid joints may cause pain and distort foot movement. This may put extra stress on the ball of the foot, causing a callus (a corn on the bottom of the foot).
FLEXIBLE JOINT
RIGID JOINT
TREATING HAMMER TOES
If your symptoms are mild, changing shoes may be all the treatment you need. Using a splint or pad to hold your toes straight also may help. Or try cushioning corns and calluses with felt padding. If your symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed on whether your toe joints are flexible or rigid.
FLEXIBLE JOINTS To release a buckled joint, the tight tendón (often the bottom one) is cut and repositioned.
RIGID JOINTS A piece of bone may be removed to help straighten a rigid toe. Two surgical examples are shown below. With either surgery, a pin may be used to hold the remaining bone in position during healing.
