New York Podiatrist
Brooklyn Podiatrist
Manhattan Office
930 Fifth Ave., East 74th St.
New York, NY 10021
(212) 570-9300
Brooklyn Office
369 93rd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 680-6276
Patient Education: Reference Library and Glossary
Patient Education
Hammertoes
The staff at Hamilton Foot and Ankle Associates believes that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive podiatric reference library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about items of interest to you. Or, for a more comprehensive search of our entire web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.
As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.
Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and require surgery. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance.
Treatment for the condition typically involves wearing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions, or nonmedicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.
In severe cases, hammertoe surgery may be recommended to correct the deformity.