Hammer Toes

If your toes appear crooked or bent downward you may be suffering from hammer toes, mallet toes or claw toes. These three very similar toe deformities result in shortening of the toe tendons thereby limiting toe motion, causing claw-shaped toes and painful rubbing inside shoes.

A hammer toe, mallet toe or claw toe is a toe that is contracted at one or more of the joints of the toe, leading to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. Hammer, mallet and claw toes may occur in any toe, but rarely the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the tip of the toe where excessive pressure often causes painful corns. Hammer toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There are two types – flexible and rigid. In a flexible hammer toe, the joint has the ability to move. This type of hammer toe can be straightened manually. Movement is very limited and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot and possibly causing pain as well as the development of corns and calluses.

Woman Talking

How to Avoid Hammer Toes

Video transcript

How to Avoid Hammer Toes Transcript

(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)

Hello, I’m Donna Robertson, Head of Training and Chief Pedorthist for Foot Solutions, a foot wellness retailer specializing in footwear and custom crafted orthotic insoles. In a previous video, we discussed the common signs of Hammer Toes. Today we will discuss the causes and treatment of Hammer Toes and how Foot Solutions can help. Hammer Toes can be caused by a number of culprits, including these four: Poor foot function such as over pronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot) or over supination (excessive outward rolling of the foot) are common causes of hammer, mallet and claw toes. Poor fitting shoes are also a common cause. Previous foot and ankle injuries can lead to hammer toes; and Various forms of arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including hammer, mallet and claw toes. To treat hammer toes, changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box (toe area) has enough vertical depth and width to accommodate the toe deformity and less friction against the toes. If the abnormal function of over pronation or over supination exist, appropriate arch supports or custom fitted orthotic insoles can improve or resolve issues. At Foot Solutions we carry supportive athletic, casual, and dress shoes that can accommodate individuals with hammer toes. In addition, our custom-fitted, custom-crafted orthotic insoles can be combined with accessories such as toe splints and gel toe shields and caps to maintain your foot health. If you have hammer toes, we welcome you to visit one of our in-store Pedorthists by scheduling an appointment at www.footsolutions.caor by simply walking in. Your feet are the foundation of your health. Let us take care of them for you.

Bryan and Woman Talking

What Shoe is Right for Me?

What Shoe is Right for Me? Transcript

(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)

What is Foot Solutions

What is Foot Solutions?

Video transcript

What is Foot Solutions? Transcript

(This transcript is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.)

For over 20 years, Foot Solutions has been evaluating, solving, and preventing foot and joint issues for people just like you.Our highly trained board certified foot specialists are available at our retail locations to expertly fit you in a truly custom orthotic and recommend the perfect footwear from our collection of stylish international brands.We are proud to have thousands of positive reviews online, evidencing the care and attention that defines our service. At Foot Solutions, you will meet men and women passionate about foot and joint health and eager to provide you with a meaningful, first-class experience.Come into Foot Solutions and see for yourself how visiting with one of our specialists can improve your quality of life.

Symptoms, Causes and Common Treatments

Hammer Toes

Symptoms

  • Toes that appear crooked or bent
  • Distorted position of one or more toe joints
  • Toes that curl up and rub on the inside of the shoe

Causes

  • Poor foot function such as over pronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot) or oversupination (excessive outward rolling of the foot) are common causes of hammer, mallet and claw toes.
  • Poor fitting shoes are also a common cause.
  • Various forms of arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including hammer, mallet and claw toes.

Common Treatments

Changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step in addressing hammer toes. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the misshapen toes. A shoe with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area so that there is less friction against the toes. If over pronation or over supination exist, arch supports can improve or restore proper foot function and reduce further development of the deformity. If the deformity is flexible, the use of arch supports, hammer toe splints, and custom toe splints can improve and, in some cases, restore proper toe position and function. The use of gel toe sleeves, hammer toe crests and pads can stop rubbing and reduce or eliminate painful corns and calluses.

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Foot Solutions Products

  • Supportive athletic, casual or dress shoes
  • Custom-fitted, custom-crafted arch supports (orthotics) Over-the-counter arch supports (orthotics)
  • Custom toe splints
  • Gel toe shields and caps
  • Hammer toe crests, splints and pads
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