What causes hammertoes
Hammertoes happen when the muscles and tendons that balance the toe pull unevenly. Common contributors include bunions, a second toe longer than the big toe, tight or short shoes, high heels, high arches, and arthritis.
Flexible or rigid
A flexible hammertoe can still be straightened by hand. Over time, it can stiffen into a rigid hammertoe that stays bent. Related problems include claw toes, which bend at more than one joint, and mallet toes, which bend at the joint nearest the nail.
Common symptoms
- Pain on the top of the toe in shoes
- Corns on the top or tip of the toe
- Calluses under the ball of the foot
- Redness or swelling over the bent joint
If you have diabetes or neuropathy, a corn or sore on a hammertoe should be checked promptly rather than treated at home.
Which visit to book
Book the Focused Pain visit ($199).
When not to wait. If you can't put weight on your foot after an injury, have a wound, spreading redness, warmth, fever, or a foot that suddenly turns cold, pale, or dark, go to urgent care or an emergency department, or call 911. This clinic does not provide emergency care.