How to Recognize Hammertoe Symptoms Early

A disorder of the smaller toes, hammertoe is a flexible or rigid deformation of a toe, giving it a curled look at the second joint. In mild cases, you may only notice a bend in the toe that doesn’t relax, but in later stages, it’s a source of pain and other complications.

Visit Mastracco Foot & Ankle when you first notice any changes in your toes. Don’t wait until you develop pain or have trouble walking.

The causes and risk factors of hammertoes

Hammertoes can start because of an injury to a toe, like being stubbed or broken. Over time, this can lead to the bending typical of the condition. 

Normally, the muscles that control your toes have a certain balance. If this becomes irregular, there may be pressure on the tendons of the toe joints, causing bending and disfiguration. 

Footwear style also influences hammertoe. Frequent wearing of shoes that crowd your toes could lead to curled toe postures. Eventually, these could remain even when you’re not wearing shoes. 

You may be more at risk of developing hammertoes if:

• The condition runs in your family
• You’re female, as they’re statistically more likely than men to develop the condition
• You suffer from arthritis, diabetes, or other diseases that may affect your feet

Hammertoes can be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, describing how easy or hard it is to uncurl your toes. 

How to recognize hammertoe symptoms early

The earliest sign of hammertoe is usually visual. One or more of your toes curls downward at the toe’s second joint. In the early stages, you likely won’t have any trouble walking or pain associated with this curl, and the joint may still be flexible or semi-rigid. 

As your hammertoe becomes more advanced, you may notice symptoms like: 

• Increasing loss of toe movement
• Pain
• Changes to your gait
• Formation of calluses and corns on the top of the affected toes
• Inflammation and skin discoloration

Dr. Mastracco can diagnose a hammertoe condition with a physical examination. In some cases, X-rays may be necessary for further diagnostic purposes. 

Hammertoe treatments

If your hammertoe stems from crowded footwear or heels, you may be able to make changes to relieve your condition. Start by changing your footwear choices to selections with roomy toe boxes. 

Over-the-counter solutions include toe pads to provide cushioning for your affected toes and pain medications to help control occasional discomfort. 

Dr. Mastracco may recommend additional treatments using devices such as orthotics or toe spacers, or by recommending toe exercises to restore alignment and proper joint condition. 

Only the most severe cases of hammertoe require surgery, which Dr. Mastracco only recommends after conservative treatments fail to produce improvements. 

Contact Mastracco Foot & Ankle at the first sign of the curled joints of hammertoe. Call or click to book your examination today.