Hammer toe is a condition
in which one or more of the toes is curled or buckled under, forming a
shape similar to the claw on the back of a hammer. The toes may become
fixed and rigid. Most often, the second toe is affected, but other toes
may also be affected. Because the toe is bent and the second joint of the toe sticks
up and rubs against the shoe, a small area of thickened skin, called
a corn, may develop. Most often hammer
toe is caused by wearing improperly fitting shoes, but people with muscle
and nerve damage of the toes may also experience this condition.
Unless the toes become painful,
there is usually no treatment for hammer toe. Pads may be used to
protect the toe from rubbing
on the top of the shoe. Surgical treatment may be used to straighten the
toe, but the toe would then
be straight and rigid.
Conservative methods such
as toe pads can be used to treat corns, which can occur over any bone in
the foot, but are most often caused by hammer toe. In some instances, changing
your footwear may help. If the problem continues and becomes quite painful,
you may want to consider surgery to relieve the underlying pressure on
the toe.
