Hammer toe

With a hammer toe, the middle joint of a small toe is permanently bent while the tip points downwards, so the toe looks like a small hammer. The second toe is affected most often. A claw toe is similar but with an additionally overextended base joint.

Causes

• shoes that are too short, tight or pointed and high heels
• hallux valgus, which pushes the second toe aside
• splayfoot and muscle imbalance
• nerve damage, e.g. with diabetes

Complaints

• pressure points and corns on the bent joint
• calluses on the tip of the toe, which is loaded when walking
• pain in shoes, with stiffening of the joint over time

Treatment

As long as the toe is still mobile, foot exercises, shoes that are long and high enough and insoles help. If it has stiffened, surgery may be considered.

What we do

We remove corns and calluses on the joint and the tip of the toe and relieve the toe with a precisely made silicone orthosis – for example a toe protector or toe support. See also: pressure relief.