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Hammertoe Treatment

At Care Podiatry, we specialize in diagnosing and treating hammertoe at every stage. Through a detailed clinical evaluation and imaging when necessary, we determine the severity of the condition and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our approach prioritizes conservative treatments first, focusing on relieving pain, reducing pressure on the affected toe, and improving foot function. Whether your hammertoe is mild and flexible or more advanced, our goal is to restore comfort, improve alignment, and help you return to your daily activities without pain.

What are Hammertoes?

Hammertoes are also known as claw toes or mallet toes. It happens when one or more toes become permanently bent. The condition develops when toes are crowded inside tight or poorly fitting shoes. It can also be caused by a bunion that pushes the other toes out of position. Hammertoes are more common among people with bunions or high arches.

What Causes Hammertoes?

Hammertoes typically develop due to –

What Makes Hammertoes Worse

Once the toe becomes stiff and fixed in position, treatment options become more limited. Early checkups can provide more solutions.

Ignoring the early bending of the toe

Once the toe becomes stiff and fixed in position, treatment options become more limited. Early checkups can provide more solutions.

Choosing style over structure in Footwear

Wearing narrow, pointed, or high-heeled shoes. Even occasional use can increase irritation if the toe is already bent.

Cutting Corns

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure. Repeated shaving or padding without correcting alignment worsens the condition.

Ignoring Muscle Imbalance

Hammertoes develop from an imbalance between muscles and tendons in the foot.

Relying Only on Over-The-Counter Inserts

Common inserts can offer temporary cushioning, but they don’t correct the posture

Hammertoe Progression & Treatment Options

Stages

Early (Flexible Hammertoe)

Moderate (Partially Flexible)

Advanced (Rigid Hammertoe)

Complicated (With Diabetes or Circulation Issues)

Toe Flexibility

The toe can still be manually straightened

The toe resists straightening but still has some movement

The toe cannot be straightened

Often rigid

Common Symptoms

Discomfort

Increased pain, corns or calluses, irritation

Persistent pain, thickened skin, joint stiffness

Ulcers, skin breakdown, infection risk

Symptoms of Hammertoe

Why Early Treatment Matters

Without treatment, hammertoes can lead to:

When you address the conditions early, non-surgical treatment options can help.

What Our Patients Say

Don't Let Hammertoes Get Worse

Hammertoes start as a mild inconvenience but can worsen if ignored. Early evaluation increases your treatment options, and these can prevent the need for surgery. If you are experiencing toe pain, let our specialists at Care Podiatry take care of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Main Cause of Hammertoes?

Hammertoes develop from tight or poorly fitting shoes that crowd the toes. Over time, the pressure causes muscle and tendon imbalance.

Can a Hammertoe Straighten on Its Own?

No. Once the toe starts to bend, it typically does not correct itself without treatment.

Are Hammertoes Painful?

They can be. Some people experience some discomfort, while others develop pain due to corns, pressure, or joint stiffness.

Can Hammertoes Get Worse Over Time?

Yes. Without treatment, the toe becomes rigid and painful.