Hammer Toe

The Hammer toe foot condition is basically and easily explained as a fixation of the proximal joints of the smaller toes.

It is common for this toe condition to affect only one toe but this can also affect the other toes by drawing them into a clawing or a retracted position.

This can put pressure the toenail and possibly cause toenail trauma, resulting in a

black toenail.

Along with the hammer condition there is also, clawing and retraction. Three separate types of toe deformation.

The symptoms of this condition show the toe, (one or more of the smaller toes) to take on an inverted Vform.

As the tip of the V is more elevated than the other toes it can easily be showing or producing a foot corn through friction against the inside of the shoe.

The causes can be the result of a slight muscular disability.

It can also be the result of ill fitting footwear where the shoes have been too short or narrow producing a form of back pressure on the toes which forces them into the hammer condition.

It can be a result of the big toe pushing the second toe into the hammer position and holding it there forcing it into the V position.

It can also be inherited genetically.

The video is a great source of information on the hammer toe condition, it also shows in detail the surgery used to repair and straighten the toe.

Please be aware that the video contains animated surgery.

Treatment can be for the relief of pain or to avoid the formation of a corn.

Or, as seen in the video above, surgical.

You can read about other forms of

toe pain by clicking the link.

There is a form of 'brace' available to gently pull down the toe into the correct position.

This can be done painlessly.

The brace can come in different materials to suit the type of condition and the shoe that will be worn with it.

For example one type of brace is made in a dry polymer gel which gives the required strength and is also almost invisible which gives the wearer the chance of wearing open toed shoes or sandals without any embarassment.

There are, of course, other materials available for sports shoes etc.

You can read about

healthy footwear by clicking the link.

Other forms of pain relief can be gained by selecting footwear which does not produce any downward pressure on the 'V' of the toe.

If the formaton of the hammer toe is spotted early enough in a child it can be treated more easily preventing the or restricting the V formation.

For other information on childs feet and nails please check out our page on childrens toenails

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