Hammer Toe

The main symptoms of hammer toe are pain and visible deformity. You may feel pain on the top of your toes or the ball of your foot. Pain may be worse when moving your toes or walking. Your hammer toe may appear more curled than your other toes. 

Other symptoms of hammer toe include:

• swelling

• discolouration such as redness 

• inability to move the affected toe

• difficulty walking 

• difficulty wearing normal footwear

• corns and calluses on your affected toe

Hammer toe has several causes, including genetic and environmental factors. 

If your second toe is longer than your big toe, then you have a higher risk of developing hammer toe in that toe. 

The condition is more common in women, and the risk increases with age. If you have an underlying condition such as arthritis or diabetes, or a foot problem like bunions, flat feet, or high arches, you may have a higher risk of developing hammer toe. 

Some other causes of hammer toe include: 

• wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow, or high heels that push your toes forward

• a muscle imbalance in your toes

At your Welbeck appointment, you’ll see a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll also perform a physical examination of your toes and feet.

Your consultant can usually diagnose hammer toe with a physical examination, but they may order an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and check for any other abnormalities.

There are several things you can do to prevent or reduce the risk of developing hammer toe, including: 

• choosing appropriate footwear that’s the correct size, and ensuring your toes have enough room to move

• avoiding shoes with high heels or pointed toes 

• applying padding between your toes and strapping them into place to stop your shoes from rubbing

• wearing custom-made insoles or special shoes to help take the pressure off any painful areas and prevent your toes from rubbing together

Hammer toe is usually treatable, and complications are rare; however, untreated hammer toe usually gets progressively worse and can lead to complications such as:

• persistent pain

• long-term deformity

• corns, calluses, and blisters that can be painful 

• difficulty walking

• nerve damage

• infection

Mild hammer toe can often be treated with nonsurgical options such as over-the-counter painkillers, wearing the correct footwear, shoe orthotics, and toe exercises. 

If your condition is more advanced, causing persistent pain or interfering with your daily life, your consultant may recommend surgery. 

Hammer toe surgery involves straightening your bent toe and sometimes the joint to correct the deformity. 

Your consultant may remove a piece of bone and/or lengthen your tendons and stabilise your toe with pins or screws. In some cases, the bones in your affected toe may be fused together.

Hammer toe surgery is typically carried out as an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll be able to go home the same day.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.