Hammertoe Specialist

Hammertoes are uncomfortable and can increase your vulnerability to injury. With locations in Kingston, New Windsor, Wappingers Falls, Hudson, and West Coxsackie, New York, the board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons at Hudson Valley Foot Associates offer the latest treatments for hammertoes. Nonsurgical and surgical treatments are available at the location nearest you. Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.

What is a hammertoe?

A hammertoe is a bend in the middle of the second, third, or fourth toe. It’s most common in the second toe. Hammertoes develop due to an imbalance among the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the toe. A hammertoe can feel uncomfortable, as it causes the muscles to tighten and keep your toe bent in one position.

Hammertoes also raise your risk of injury. The affected toe may become trapped beneath your foot if you move at an awkward angle. Treating your hammertoe early may improve your recovery outcomes.

What are the signs of a hammertoe?

Hammertoes typically cause physical deformities. If you have a hammertoe, the affected toe appears bent at the middle joint. Other common signs of hammertoes include:

• Difficulty straightening the toe
• Corns or calluses on the joint or tip of the toe
• Pain when walking due to friction against the skin
• Redness
• Swelling

As the hammertoe worsens, it may begin impacting your mobility. Seeking treatment can reduce your discomfort and improve your ability to walk.

What causes a hammertoe?

While a muscle and tissue imbalance in the toe causes a hammertoe, wearing high-heels or narrow-fitting shoes can increase your risk of developing one. Direct injury to the toe may also cause a hammertoe.

Common risk factors for hammertoes include:

• Having a second toe that is longer than the first
• Being female
• Being older
• Having a family history of hammertoes

Chronic diseases that affect the feet, such as diabetes and arthritis, may also heighten your risk of having a hammertoe.

What are the treatments for a hammertoe?

Hudson Valley Foot Associates offers nonsurgical management and surgical intervention to treat hammertoes. If a hammertoe is affecting your quality of life, your doctor may recommend:

• Wearing wider shoes
• Avoiding high-heels
• Performing exercises to strengthen your muscles
• Stretches to improve flexibility in the toe
• Wearing custom-made orthotic shoe inserts

Hammertoe surgery is sometimes necessary to restore muscle function in the toe. Your doctor may recommend tendon lengthening surgery, tendon transfer, or joint fusion to repair the damage. Corn and calluses removal is another procedure your doctor can perform to treat the symptoms of a hammertoe.

To learn more about hammertoes, call Hudson Valley Foot Associates or schedule an appointment online today.