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.
If you are able to straighten the toe by pulling on it, then it can be treated without surgery. A podiatrist can use padding or splint the toe to help keep it straight, and a switch to deeper shoes with more room in the toe area will help keep all toes in a more natural position.
No it does not hurt when a pin is removed from your toe after hammer toe surgery.
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.
toe
Hammer toe
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.
Toed - to toe in, hammer a nail in on a slant.
Hallux malleus
The newest treatment for hammer toe includes minimally invasive procedures, such as tendon releases and joint fusions, which can help correct the deformity and alleviate pain. Custom orthotics and toe splints may also be used to help improve toe alignment and reduce symptoms associated with hammer toe. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment approach based on individual circumstances.
Hammer toe is often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes that force the toes into a bent position. It can also result from muscle imbalance, arthritis, or genetics. Over time, the toe muscles and tendons can become tight and out of balance, leading to the characteristic hammer-like appearance.
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.
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.