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Health Information Center

Hammer Toe

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Hammer Toe

(Hammertoe)

Definition

A hammer toe is a toe that stays bent at the middle joint. A flexible hammer toe can be straightened by hand and a rigid hammer toe cannot.

Hammertoe.

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Causes

Hammer toe is caused by an imbalance in the ligaments and muscle stabilizers of the toe.

Risk Factors

Hammer toe is more common in older adults. Things that may raise the risk are:

Symptoms

Problems may be:

  • A toe that is bent at the middle joint
  • Pain in the toe that is worse when moving it
  • Pain where the toe meets the foot
  • Blisters, corns, or calluses on top of the middle joint of the toe

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. An exam of the toe will be done. This is enough to make the diagnosis.

Pictures may be taken if the diagnosis is not clear. This can be done with an x-ray.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to ease pressure on the toe. Choices are:

  • Wearing shoes with roomy toe boxes
  • Splinting the toe
  • Padding the toe
  • Using shoe inserts

Some people with severe hammer toe may need surgery. Choices are:

  • Cutting or transferring tendons
  • Fusing the middle joint of the toe together
  • Removing part of the toe or joint

Prevention

Hammer toe may be prevented by:

  • Not wearing shoes that are narrow or do not fit well
  • Not wearing heels that are higher than two inches
  • Wearing shoes with a wide toe box
RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Hammer toe. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hammer-toe.
  • Hammer toe. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hammer-toe.
  • Hammertoe. Foot Health Facts—American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/hammertoes.htm.

Contributors

  • Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated:
2023-09-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.