Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes. The toe is bent at the middle joint which gives the toe a hammer appearance. Hammertoes start out flexible which allows them to be treated with padding and good shoe gear. If left untreated a hammertoe becomes rigid and this often requires surgery.
Patients may notice corns or calluses on their toes. Pain is in the toes or feet and it is often difficult to find comfortable shoes. Hammertoes are caused by improperly fitted shoes or a imbalance of the tendons that control the toe. Patients are more prone to hammertoes if they have other foot conditions like a bunion, flat foot (pes planus), or high arch foot (pes cavus).
Hammertoes can lead to other issues for your feet, and can become rigid and harder to treat if nothing is done to stop or slow its progression. If you are noticing one of your toes is painful and stays bent in position, don’t ignore the problem. To have your hammertoes evaluated, make an appointment with Greater Houston Foot & Ankle Specialists.
Dr. Stephen Moore and Dr. Gkotsoulias are podiatrists serving
The Woodlands, Kingwood, Spring, and Tomball areas.
