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Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe, in which the end of the toe is bent downward.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHammer toe usually affects the second toe, although it may also affect the other toes. The toe goes into a claw-like position. The condition may occur as a result of pressure from a bunion. A corn on the top of a toe and a callus on the sole of the foot develop, which makes walking painful.
The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or develop from wearing short, narrow shoes. Hammer toe also occurs in children who continue to wear shoes they have outgrown.
The rare case in which all toes seem to be involved may indicate a problem with the nerves or spinal cord.
Symptoms- Callus forms on the sole of the foot
- Claw-like deformity of a toe
- Corn forms on the top of a toe
- Foot pain -- pain in the joint where the great toe joins the foot
A physical examination of the foot confirms hammer toe.
TreatmentMild hammer toe in children can be treated with foot manipulation and splinting the affected toe. Wear the right size shoes or shoes with wide toe boxes for comfort and to avoid aggravating hammer toes.
Protect the protruding joint with corn pads or felt pads, corrective footwear, or other foot devices. Exercises may be helpful.
Severe hammer toe requires an operation to straighten the joint. The surgery may involve cutting or moving tendons, or fusing the joints of the toe together.
Expectations (prognosis)If the condition is treated early, you can often avoid surgery. Treatment will reduce pain and walking difficulty.
Complications- Foot deformity
- Posture changes caused by difficulty in walking
If you have hammer toe, call for an appointment with your health care provider for instructions on the best treatment.
Also call for an appointment if your pain gets worse or you have difficulty walking.
PreventionAvoid wearing shoes that are too short or narrow. Check children's shoe sizes frequently, especially during periods of fast growth.
ReferencesBadlissi F, Dunn JE, Link CL, Keysor JJ, McKinlay JB, Felson DT. Foot musculoskeletal disorders, pain, and foot-related functional limitation in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005;53:1029-1033.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoHammer toe is a deformity of the toe, in which the end of the toe is bent downward.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHammer toe usually affects the second toe. However, it may also affect the other toes. The toe moves into a claw-like position.
The most common cause of hammer toe is wearing short, narrow shoes that are too tight. The toe is forced into a bent position. Muscles and tendons in the toe tighten and become shorter.
Hammer toe is more likely to occur in:
- Women who wear shoes that do not fit well or have high heels
- Children who keep wearing shoes they have outgrown
The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or develop over time.
In rare cases, all of the toes are affected. This may be caused by a problem with the nerves or spinal cord.
SymptomsThe 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.
A corn often forms on the top of the toe. A callus is found on the sole of the foot.
Walking or wearing shoes can be painful.
Signs and testsA physical examination of the foot confirms that you have hammer toe. The health care provider may find decreased and painful movement in the toes.
TreatmentMild hammer toe in children can be treated by manipulating and splinting the affected toe.
The following changes in footwear may help relieve symptoms:
- Wear the right size shoes or shoes with wide toe boxes for comfort, and to avoid making hammer toe worse.
- Avoid high heels as much as possible.
- Wear soft insoles to relieve pressure on the toe.
- Protect the joint that is sticking out with corn pads or felt pads
A foot doctor can make foot devices called hammer toe regulators or straighteners for you, or you can 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.
For severe hammer toe, you will need an operation to straighten the joint.
- The surgery often involves cutting or moving tendons and ligaments.
- Sometimes the bones on each side of the joint need to be connected (fused) together.
Most of the time, you will go home on the same day as the surgery. The toe may still be stiff afterward, and it may be shorter.
Expectations (prognosis)If the condition is treated early, you can often avoid surgery. Treatment will reduce pain and walking difficulty.
Complications- Foot deformity
- Posture changes caused by difficulty in walking
If you have hammer toe, call for an appointment with your health care provider:
- To get instructions on the best treatment
- If your pain gets worse
- If you have difficulty walking
Avoid wearing shoes that are too short or narrow. Check children's shoe sizes often, especially during periods of fast growth.
ReferencesKrug RJ, Lee EH, Dugan S, Mashey K. Hammer toe. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr., eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 82.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/31/2010
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Does it hurt when pins are removed from toes after hammer toe surgery?
No it does not hurt when a pin is removed from your toe after hammer toe surgery.
What does hammer digit mean in medical term?
Hammer Toe is hammer digit. It refers to a deformity of the middle joint of a toe, normally the large toe or baby toe. See link below from the National Institutes of Health.
What is the term for hammer on a slant?
toe
What is hallux malleus?
Hammer toe
What is a hammer toe and how do I prevent this?
Hammer toe is a term used to discribe a person whos toe bends downward and the middle joint curls up. This eventually results in the toe getting stuck into a claw-like position. When a person's shoe rubs against a hammer toe they can develope corns, blisters, and calluses that may form on the toe itself or on the bottom of their foot. This can make walking very painful. If you wish to read more about hammer toe you can find some great information here http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/0900/0953.asp.
What is hammered on a slant?
Toed - to toe in, hammer a nail in on a slant.
What is the medical term meaning hammer toe?
Hallux malleus
What causes hammer toe?
Tight shoes can cause hammertoes
How do you straighten a flexible Hammer toe without surgery?
You can't. There are silcone pads on the market that sit under the toe and are used to move it into a straigher position over time but they are not successful for most foot ailments and are not successful for hammer toe. If the toe is not painful and one is considering surgery for cosmetic reasons, the best option is to leave it. If the toe is painful or one decides the cosmetic reasons are sufficient, surgery is the only option. Importantly, one needs to be aware of why the hammer toe developed in the first place. Meaning, if surgery is completed, the reasons for the development of toe also need to be address. Ill fitting footwear e.g. narrow shoes or squeezing feet into the trendy and stylish heels are a common source of hammer toe, are a common cause. So if one insists on maintaining improper foot care, the hammer toe can redevelop. Genetic factors also come into play and whilst there is nothing one can do about these, one must take steps to limit hammer toes developing, such as not wearing narrow shoes.
Raised toe after hammer toe surgery?
I had my second toe straightened in August of 2010. Even though it is straight, it is much shorter than it was and has raised high enough that the third toe is bending down under the raised toe, causing severe callouses on the bottom of my feet which are very painful. I had the hammer toe about a year. Even though the raised toe is not as painful, I am still unable to wear most shoes and need a lot of padding to even walk.
Do people have bent toes?
Because there is a hammer toe which is a deformity of the toe. The end of the toe is bent downward. Hammer toe most often affects the second toe. However, it may also affect the other toes. The most common cause of hammer toe is wearing short, narrow shoes that are too tight. The toe is forced into a bent position. Muscles and tendons in the toe tighten and become shorter. Hammer toe is more likely to occur in: women who wear shoes that do not fit well or often wear shoes with high heels or children who wear shoes they have outgrown. The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or develop over time. In rare cases, all of the toes are affected. This may be caused by a problem with the nerves or spinal cord.
What is hammer toe and how is it treated?
Hammer toe is an irregularity that causes the toe to be bent awkwardly at the second joint. This is a very painful issue that can be treated surgically or non surgically. Instead of doing random searches, it is probably best to see a podiatrist and get detailed information about the deformity and treatments that are best for you, your financial situation, and overall health.
