Hammer toes & other toe conditions

HAMMER TOES

These are toes whose ligaments and tendons have tightened & cause the toe’s joints to buckle, cocking the toe upward.

Diabetic Foot Hammer Toes
Hammer Toes in Diabetics

Shoes then rub on the prominent portion of the toe, leading to inflammation or bursitis. Corns and calluses soon form.

During the early stages, such toes remain flexible, meaning they will straighten when pressure is applied to the buckled area.

As time passes, the toe can become permanently buckled or rigid, requiring surgery for correction. Painful calluses on the bottom of the foot may accompany rigid toes because of pressure generated on the joint.

Bone Spur: A bone spur is an overgrowth of bone that may occur alone or along with a deformed toe. Pain, corns and calluses are the major symptoms. Left untreated, a bone spur may eventually be accompanied by bursitis or small skin ulceration.

Overlapping and Underlapping Toes: Any one of the toes can overlap or underlap, pushing on adjacent toes and causing irritation. Overlapping or underlapping of the fifth toe is a common congenital problem that is easily corrected in children. Bunions can cause the second toe to overlap in adults.

Pain, inflammation and small corns or areas of built up tissue may result. This deformity also can interfere with the normal function of the foot, and if left untreated, may lead to enlargement of bone or bone spur formation.

Treatments for Toe Deformities

Any toe problems that cause pain or discomfort while walking should be given prompt attention by a podiatric surgeon. Ignoring the symptoms can aggravate the condition, and over time may lead to an infection, a breakdown of tissue or ulceration. For people with poor circulation or an underlying medical problem, loss of the toe is possible.

Recommended treatments will vary depending upon the severity of the condition.