Why do hammer toes occur

The toe is forced into a bent position. Muscles and tendons in the toe tighten and become shorter. In rare cases, all of the toes are affected. This may be caused by a problem with the nerves or spinal cord. The middle joint of the toe is bent. The end part of the toe bends down into a claw-like deformity.

At first, you may be able to move and straighten the toe. Over time, you will no longer be able to move the toe. It will be painful. A physical exam of the foot confirms that you have hammer toe. The health care provider may find decreased and painful movement in the toes. A foot doctor can make foot devices called hammer toe regulators or straighteners for you. You can also buy them at the store. Exercises may be helpful. You can try gentle stretching exercises if the toe is not already in a fixed position.

Picking up a towel with your toes can help stretch and straighten the small muscles in the foot. Most of the time, you will go home on the same day as the surgery. You may be able to put weight on your heel to walk around during the recovery period. However, you will not be able to push off or bend your toes in normal walking for a while. The toe may still be stiff after surgery, and it may be shorter.

If the condition is treated early, you can often avoid surgery. Treatment will reduce pain and walking problems. Avoid wearing shoes that are too short or narrow. Check children's shoe sizes often, especially during periods of fast growth.

What causes hammer, claw, and mallet toes? What are the symptoms? Besides looking odd, hammer, claw, and mallet toes may: Hurt. Make it hard to find shoes that fit. Rub against your footwear. You may get calluses or corns where a bent toe presses against another toe or your shoe or where the toe's tip touches the ground. How are hammer, claw, and mallet toes diagnosed? Your doctor will want to know: When the problems started, what activities or shoes make them worse, and if other parts of the foot are painful.

What kind of shoes you wear and how much time you spend standing or walking every day. Any previous foot problems you have had. Any medical conditions you have that could be related, such as arthritis, diabetes, or poor circulation.

If you are thinking about having surgery to correct your problem, you may need: An X-ray to help the doctor decide what type of surgery would be most helpful. Blood flow testing, which may include Doppler ultrasound , if your foot seems to have poor blood flow.

Nerve testing if your doctor thinks you have nerve problems in your foot. If this is the case, you may need to see a neurologist , a doctor who specializes in brain, spine, and nerve problems. How are they treated? Change your footwear. Choose shoes with roomy toe boxes, low heels, and good arch supports. Sandals or athletic shoes that don't rub on your toe may be a good option. You could also try custom-made shoes or shoes made for people who have foot problems.

Use products that cushion the toe or hold the foot in a more comfortable position, such as moleskin , toe tubes, arch supports, or other shoe inserts orthotics. These are better for treating a flexible toe, but they can also provide some relief for a fixed toe.

Care for any calluses or corns on your feet. Moleskin and other over-the-counter treatments may help relieve pain. Never cut corns or calluses, because this can lead to infection. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Check with your doctor before taking these medicines.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If your toe joint is flexible, you can also try: Taping a hammer toe. Wrap tape under the big toe or the toe next to the hammer toe , then over the hammer toe, and then under the next toe. This gently forces the hammer toe into a normal position. But it doesn't straighten the toe permanently.

Toe caps, slings, or splints. These hold toes in a normal position, much like taping does. Exercises that help keep the toe joints flexible and strong, such as the ones listed below. Your doctor or physiotherapist may be able to suggest more exercises. Gently pull on your toes to stretch the bent joints. For example, if a joint bends up, gently stretch it down. Hold for several seconds. Surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis, so you can return home on the day of your surgery.

The best hammer toe prevention tip is to wear properly fitting shoes. If your shoes feel too snug, go to your local shoe store and have the length and width of your feet measured. If you wear high heels, the heel height should be 2 inches or less. Wearing shoes with high heels increases the pressure on your toes and causes them to bend.

It can also cause the formation of corns and a high arch. After treating the cause of your hammer toe, it usually goes away without complications. However, waiting too long to seek treatment can cause your surrounding toes to become deformed as the hammer toe forces them out of position. Ancient practices and a growing body of medical research suggest that massaging pressure points on your feet can heal conditions on different parts of….

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Hammer Toe.