How To Spot Hammertoe

Problems Walking

Hammertoe causes some patients to develop problems walking. Orthopedists can assess the severity of gait issues by observing the patient as they walk around the exam room. To rule out other conditions that could cause walking trouble, the orthopedist might check the patient's reflexes, sensation, and muscle tone. Patients may notice they have more walking difficulties in high heels and similar types of shoes that provide inadequate space for the toes and cause rubbing between the toes and the shoe. To reduce pressure on the toes and prevent a hammertoe from getting worse, clinicians recommend that individuals choose shoes with heels of no more than two inches, and footwear with a deep, wide toe box can also help. Shoes with laces or straps are often easier on the feet than flip flops or shoes without backs which typically offer little or no support for the foot. Toe splints, heel wedges, padding, and other types of shoe inserts may make walking easier for some patients. In addition to footwear changes and orthotics, it is important for the patient to spend a portion of the day without wearing shoes. If the bend in the toe is still flexible, physical therapy exercises that strengthen the extensor muscles (the muscles that pull the toes upward) could help to improve the patient's comfort while walking.

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Toes With A Claw-Like Appearance

The bend in the toe that occurs with hammertoe typically looks like an upside-down V, and this ailment often results in toes with a claw-like appearance. In addition to the abnormal bend, the appearance of the toes may be complicated by the formation of bunions (bumps on the sides of the feet), and patients might develop knuckle pads (areas of thickened skin over the toe joints caused by rubbing from footwear). Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, flat feet, and pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia) could increase the claw-like appearance of the toes. X-rays or other imaging studies can reveal the severity and potential underlying causes of any clawing. Some hammertoe patients with this symptom may need to have surgery. The most common type of surgical procedure for the correction of hammertoe involves releasing the affected tendon so the toe can straighten. Sometimes, surgeons might remove a small piece of bone to allow the toe to be as straight as possible. If the patient has multiple toe deformities contributing to hammertoe, the surgeon may be able to treat some of these during the same operation.