How are Hammertoes Treated?
Posted on Tue, Sep 06, 2011 @ 09:53 AM
As with any medical condition, early treatment is preferred. Stretching and strengthening exercises are effective for treating hammer toes only when the toe joints are still flexible. In other words if the joint can still be extended to a fully stretched position, conservative treatment is usually still possible.
To learn what different types of crooked toes look like and which variety is called a
hammer toe, visit
My Toes are Crooked – Part 3: Hammertoes. Research has found that straps worn on the toes to help keep
hammertoes straight and to cushion the toes for comfort, are beneficial. You can follow the link
“Effectiveness of Splinting on Hammertoe” to read the actual study.
Over time as the tendons shorten or contract and the cartilage on the surface between the bones is worn away, hammertoes become rigid and are not responsive to conservative therapy. At that point cushioning with gel sleeves or soft foam lined straps may protect the skin and lessen pain, but restoring motion is no longer possible.
3pp® Toe Loops® Hammertoe Regulator Gel Tube from 3-Point Products
Changing to shoes that are the proper length and that have a deeper toe box is probably the best way to slow or stop the progression of hammertoes. If this does not help, or if the deformity is fixed so the toes cannot be pulled straight, surgery is an option.
Hammertoe surgery is usually focused at rerouting the tendons that bend the toe to the top of the toe where they can help straighten it instead. This is usually done along with a joint fusion using pins or small plates to hold the toes straight. If the toes are rigid, the surgeon may also cut bone to be able to open the joint up so the toe can be fused in the proper position.
Thinking about having toes stuck straight may just be enough incentive to start tossing out those “high hell” shoes for something that provides better comfort and allows room to wiggle your toes.
Sensible does not have to look like this:
But something like this gives your toes breathing room, adheres to the rules of fashion and the need to find those perfect red slippers.
Prevention is best but when treatment is necessary discuss your hammer toes with a health care professional.
Author: Julie Belkin
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