Hammertoe: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Apart from hammer toes, mallet toe conditions are also common.

Both of these conditions can be triggered by the type of shoes you wear, the structure of your feet, trauma, and certain health problems.

Hammertoe is indicated by the joints in the middle of the toes that are bent, mallet toe actually affects the joints near the toenails. These two conditions usually occur in the second, third, and fourth toes.

To reduce the pain caused by hammertoe and mallet toe, you may need to change the shoe style you are using. In fact, if the pain doesn't go away because your condition is severe enough, you may have to undergo surgery.

Signs & symptoms of hammertoe

The most prominent symptom of hammertoe is a bent joint in the middle of the toe. Initially, you can still try to realign it. But over time, the pain will get worse.

Disorders of the human movement system that focus on this area of ​​the feet are indicated by several symptoms, such as:

• Pain or irritation that affects the toes when wearing shoes.
• Sores and calluses appear between the toes or at the base of the feet.
• Inflammation characterized by redness and a burning sensation.
• Toes contractions.
• The formation of open wounds, especially in severe cases.

Causes & risk factors for hammertoe

Hammertoe and mallet toe are often associated with several causes, including the following.

1. Use of certain shoes

The use of high heels and other shoes that are too small for your feet requires that your toes fit in tight spaces. This prevents the toes from being in a normal position.

The toes that have to constantly jostle in the shoes eventually create a habit in the toes, so they will remain crooked and irregular even when you are not wearing your shoes.

In addition, toes that are constantly stuck inside the shoe can cause calluses and scabs that can aggravate hammertoe and mallet toe.

2. Trauma

Apart from wearing the wrong shoes, hammertoe and mallet toe can also be caused by trauma from an injury you may have experienced. For example, you have had your foot stepped on, or you have slipped or broken your foot, especially your fingers.

Yes, these conditions can increase the risk of experiencing both joint problems that occur in these toes.

3. Abnormal toe muscles

You may also experience an imbalance in the toes of the muscles, which triggers the toes to contract because they are unstable.

Factors that increase the risk of hammertoe

There are several factors that can increase your risk of experiencing this musculoskeletal disorder, namely:

• Age. The potential for experiencing hammertoe and mallet toe increases with age.
• Gender. Women are more prone to experiencing these two conditions than men.
• Toes length. If the index toe is longer than the big toe, the risk of experiencing hammertoe and mallet toe is greater.
• Certain health problems. For example, arthritis and diabetes increase your risk of developing joint problems.

Hammertoe complications

Initially, your toes can still be moved despite experiencing hammertoe. However, if the toes are left in the hammertoe state for a long time, the tendons of the toes may tighten because they cannot be stretched straight to their full size. Over time, the toes will be permanently bent.

If left untreated, a mild hammertoe can turn into a permanent toe deformity, causing calluses and cuts to any part of the shoe rubbing against the part of the toe with the hammertoe.

Hammertoe treatment

Depending on how severe your condition is, there are several treatments, including:

• Use a bandage to hold the toes straight, if the toes with hammertoe or mallet toe are still classified as flexible.
• Specific exercises to move your toes to keep the joints supple and flexible.
• If your toes hurt so much, apply fresh ice several times a day.
• Use of class drugs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory disease (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen which can provide pain relief.

In cases that are already classified as severe, you may have to undergo surgery to re-straighten the joints in the toes area.

Hammertoe prevention

If you don't want to experience these joint problems, you can make sure of the following when buying shoes:

• Make sure there is enough space for your toes when wearing shoes.
• Choose shoes with low heels, because using high heels can increase the risk of experiencing back pain.
• Consider strappy shoes as they are easier to arrange.

Apart from that, the Mayo Clinic also provides some additional tips when buying shoes to avoid hammertoe and mallet toe:

• Buy shoes in the late afternoon, because at that time your feet are bigger.
• Make sure your shoe size again, because as you get older, the shoe size may change too.
• Buy shoes that fit your feet, as shoes that don't fit your foot can cause discomfort. Especially if the size is too small.