Hammertoe is a foot deformity that causes one or more toes, typically the second, third, or fourth, to bend downward at the middle joint. It develops when muscle and tendon imbalances affect normal toe alignment. Over time, the affected toe may become increasingly rigid, causing pain, swelling, corns, calluses, and discomfort when walking or wearing shoes.
Restore Comfort and Natural Toe Alignment
What Causes Hammertoe?
Hammertoe develops when imbalances in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments controlling your toes cause them to bend abnormally. Wearing tight, narrow, or poorly fitting shoes can also lead to this condition. Other risk factors include genetics, aging, arthritis, and previous foot injuries. Over time, these factors may cause the affected toes to become increasingly rigid.
Signs & Symptoms of Hammertoes:
- Abnormal downward bending of one or more toes at the middle joint
- Pain or discomfort when walking or wearing shoes
- Difficulty straightening or moving the affected toes
- Corns and calluses caused by friction and pressure
- Swelling, redness, or inflammation around the affected joints
- Burning sensations or irritation in the toes
- Stiffness or reduced flexibility in the affected toes
- Difficulty finding comfortable, properly fitting footwear
Benefits of In-Office Hammertoe Correction:
- Minimally invasive procedure performed conveniently in the office
- No operating room or general anesthesia required
- Tiny incision with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues
- No cutting or removal of bone
- Releases the tight tendon responsible for bending the toe
- May improve toe alignment and relieve discomfort
- Allows you to walk on your treated foot immediately afterward
- Typically requires less recovery time than hammertoe surgery
- Most patients do not require surgical fixation
Conservative Treatment for Hammertoe
At Foot Surgery San Francisco, Dr. Nicole Cates begins with a thorough physical examination to assess your toe alignment, flexibility, and symptoms. X-rays may help determine the severity of the deformity. Based on your diagnosis, she develops a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes conservative, nonsurgical options whenever appropriate.
Footwear Modifications
Wearing shoes with a wide toe box and adequate cushioning can reduce pressure on bent toes and minimize irritation. Dr. Cates may recommend avoiding narrow, pointed, or high-heeled shoes to improve comfort and prevent further friction against the affected joints.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics provide individualized support to improve foot mechanics and redistribute pressure across your feet. Although they cannot straighten a hammertoe, these inserts may reduce discomfort, accommodate structural imbalances, and make walking easier.
Stretching Exercises
Gentle stretching exercises may help maintain flexibility in the affected toes and surrounding muscles, particularly when the deformity is still flexible. Dr. Cates can recommend appropriate movements to reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and support overall foot function.
Toe Pads and Sleeves
Protective toe pads and sleeves cushion prominent joints and reduce friction between your toes and footwear. These simple, nonsurgical solutions can help prevent painful rubbing, relieve pressure on corns and calluses, and make everyday activities more comfortable.
In-Office Hammertoe Correction: Flexor Tenotomy
Flexor tenotomy is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that corrects certain hammertoes without removing bone. If your toe is being pulled into a bent position by a tight tendon, Dr. Cates may recommend this approach to improve alignment and relieve discomfort.
During your flexor tenotomy procedure, Dr. Cates numbs the affected toe with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. She then makes a tiny incision through the skin using a percutaneous technique to release the tight flexor tendon responsible for bending your toe. No bone is cut or removed, and you can walk on your treated foot immediately afterward.
Schedule Your Consultation
Foot and Ankle Specialist San Francisco is dedicated to providing personalized, advanced foot and ankle care with an emphasis on minimally invasive treatments. Led by fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Nicole Cates, our practice offers convenient, in-office hammertoe correction without bone surgery or an operating room. Take the first step toward achieving straighter, more comfortable toes. Schedule your consultation today.
