Does your toe bend downward instead of pointing straight ahead? You may be dealing with a common condition known as a hammertoe. This occurs when there’s an imbalance between the muscles and tendons that control the toe, causing it to flex abnormally.
While many patients are initially concerned about how a hammertoe looks, the condition can also lead to significant discomfort, difficulty wearing shoes, and even an increased risk of skin irritation or infection if left untreated.
The good news is that hammertoes are highly treatable, and in many cases, correctable. At Yeargain Foot & Ankle, we have extensive experience helping patients find relief and restore proper toe alignment.
We always begin with conservative, non-surgical treatments whenever possible. This may include padding, cushions, footwear modifications, and supportive devices designed to reduce pressure and help realign the affected toe.
If these options are no longer effective, we also offer advanced solutions like Minimally Invasive Hammertoe Correction. This modern technique uses a very small incision (about 1 cm) to correct the deformity while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissue. As a result, patients typically experience less pain, less swelling, and a faster recovery, with the ability to walk the same day and return to normal shoes sooner.
Don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen. Call Yeargain Foot & Ankle today to schedule an appointment and get started on a treatment plan that gets you back on your feet comfortably.
FAQs
What is the most common cause of hammer toe?
Hammer toe can occur because of an imbalance between the muscles and the tendons on the top and bottom of the toe, which causes the toe to flex downward more than it should. Patients who develop hammer toe are typically genetically predisposed to the condition. However, it can also be exacerbated by other conditions such as arthritis, a traumatic injury, or shoes which don’t fit properly.
What are the signs of hammer toe?
When there is a muscle imbalance in the toe, the bone will become more prominent as the joint arches. A lot of times, this will rub uncomfortably on your shoe, and a callus may form. Often, the pain associated with hammer toe deformities is because of this callus.
If you have a toe or toes which bend downward, seem claw-like, develop painful calluses, or are unable to flex or wiggle, call the Yeargain Foot & Ankle office. Dr. Yeargain will do a full assessment and help come up with a treatment plan to relieve you of any symptoms and prevent further damage from occurring.
Which types of patients are most at risk of developing hammer toes?
Hammer toe affects a very broad range of patients, from pediatric to geriatric. Most commonly, Dr. Yeargain sees patients between 30 and 50 years old with hammer toes. The condition will occur in varying degrees-sometimes patients will have hammer toe for a while without pain, and others will experience severe pain.
Does hammer toe typically affect more than one toe at a time?
This will depend on the cause of the hammer toe. If it was caused by a traumatic event like a broken bone, then an isolated toe might heal in poor alignment, resulting in hammer toe. If the cause is a muscle imbalance, multiple hammer toes may develop on the foot.
At your consultation, Dr. Yeargain will do a full analysis to best determine the root cause of your hammer toe in order to provide the most efficient solution to relieve your pain, as well as prevent the condition from returning.
How is hammer toe treated?
When you visit Dr. Yeargain’s office for hammer toe, he will first do an x-ray on the affected area in order to analyze the alignment of the bone structure. As with his treatment of all conditions, Dr. Yeargain will try simple, nonsurgical options to relieve symptoms before considering more invasive solutions. For hammer toe, this will include pads, cushions, and support to help realign the affected toe or toes—all of which are available in the Yeargain Foot & Ankle online store.
The pain associated with hammer toe is often caused by a callus formation that occurs from the bony prominence rubbing on the shoe. Dr. Yeargain will address this callus and any other kind of skin irritation at this initial visit, then he will take a look at the underlying cause or causes of the hammer toe, which may include a genetic component as well as some muscle imbalance or shoe irritation.
Why should I visit a specialist for hammer toe treatment?
It’s important to see a specialist such as Dr. Yeargain for deformities and conditions of the foot because, with years of experience in the field treating a wide variety of conditions, he will be able to see the whole patient picture. Rather than only fixing the immediate symptoms, a podiatrist is able to determine which underlying causes are creating this condition and correct them, prevent it from recurring, and prevent other toes from being affected by the same condition.
Will I need surgery for hammer toe?
Dr. Yeargain will always explore non-surgical hammertoe treatment options first, including padding, footwear modifications, and custom orthotics. Many patients find relief with these conservative approaches, especially in the early stages.
However, if you’ve exhausted these options and are still experiencing pain, difficulty with shoes, or dissatisfaction with the appearance of your toe, surgery may be recommended.
The good news is that for patients who do need surgery, we now offer Minimally Invasive Hammertoe Correction (MIS) — a modern technique that allows us to correct the deformity through a very small incision (about 1 cm). This approach typically results in less pain, faster recovery, and a quicker return to daily activities compared to traditional surgery.
Only a small percentage of patients (about 10%) ultimately require surgery, but when they do, we focus on providing the most advanced and patient-friendly options available.
What does hammer toe surgery involve?
Hammertoe surgery is typically performed as a quick outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day.
With traditional hammertoe surgery, the joint is accessed through an incision, and a small amount of cartilage is removed to allow the toe to straighten. In some cases, a temporary or absorbable pin is used to hold the toe in its corrected position while it heals.
However, at Yeargain Foot & Ankle, many patients are candidates for Minimally Invasive Hammertoe Surgery (MIS). This advanced technique uses a much smaller incision (approximately 1 cm) and specialized instruments to correct the deformity while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissue.
Because of this, patients who undergo MIS surgery often experience:
- Less post-operative pain and swelling
- Same-day walking in a surgical shoe
- A smoother, faster recovery
- A quicker return to normal footwear
As with any bone procedure, healing still takes approximately 4–6 weeks, but recovery is generally more comfortable and efficient with minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Yeargain will provide a personalized recovery plan based on your specific condition and procedure.
Can complications occur if hammer toe is left untreated?
Occasionally, a skin irritation that’s overlying the bony prominence of the hammer toe can become a blister or an ulcer—this is an infection risk. If there is a pre-existing condition such as diabetes of neuropathy, a patient might be even more susceptible to these infections.
Dr. Yeagain strongly advises patients who notice a redness or skin swelling on the toe to contact Yeargain Foot & Ankle immediately. This type of irritation can lead to more serious medical conditions that could be avoided if treated early.
Are there any preventive measure I can take against hammer toe?
Wearing shoes which fit properly is very important, especially if you are genetically predisposed to developing hammer toe. Avoid shoes which are too tight, constricting, or pointed.
If you start to notice the early signs of hammer toe development, such as a crooked toe or a painful prominence, it’s best to see an expert sooner rather than later so you can prevent it from getting worse. Dr. Yeargain will be able to show you simple stretching exercises and set you up with shoe inserts or hammer toe cushions to help prevent the condition from worsening. For patients’ convenience, Yeargain Foot & Ankle has an online store with hammer toe treatment materials, so you won’t need to run around town looking for what you need.
Will my insurance cover hammer toe treatment?
Yes. Hammer toe is a joint deformity, and treatment for the condition is covered by major insurance companies. At your initial hammer toe consultation appointment, we will walk you through every question or concern you may have on the insurance coverage of this treatment.
