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Nov 16, 2007 - HammertoesBack
HAMMERTOES
Definition:
A hammertoe is a toe that is contracted at its middle joint, potentially leading to pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. Hammertoes may occur in any toe except the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe as a result of rubbing against the shoe. Hammertoes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There are three types – flexible, semi-flexible and rigid.
In a flexible hammertoe, the joint has the ability to move. This type of hammertoe can be straightened manually.
A semi-rigid and rigid hammertoe does not have the same ability to move. Movement is very limited or not present and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development of corns, calluses and metatarsalgia.
Cause:
Hammertoes result from a muscle imbalance, which causes the ligaments and tendons to become unnaturally tight. This results in the joint curling downward. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including hammertoes.
Hammertoes can also be the result of a biomechanical foot imbalance, muscle imbalance and may be associated with feet that over pronate or over supinate.
Treatment & Prevention:
Hammertoes can be managed in a number of ways ranging from self-care, conservative treatments to surgery.
Self-care can take the form of improving footwear styles, which accommodate the deformity and reduce pressure on prominent joints. There is an array of over the counter pads and dressing that may provide temporary relief from symptoms. Soaking the feet in warm water and gently massaging the forefoot may provide temporary relief.
Prescription foot orthoses are by far the most effective way of dealing with certain types of hammertoes. Once the biomechanical factors have been identified the orthoses may be designed to provide motion control and can have a metatarsal pad to help support the metatarsal arch and straighten the toes and improve toe function.
A tailored exercise program to mobilize and improve the function of the intrinsic foot muscles (small muscles in the foot which control the toe movements) can prove very effective.
Making made to measure props and splints made from a special silicone material may also treat hammertoes. When worn regularly and in some circumstances as night splints, the use of these prescription props and splints can lead to progressive straightening of the toes.
This technique is know as Silicone Orthodigita and is utilized very effectively in children, when correction is much easier that with adults. Surgery – some case may benefit from surgery, but the vast majority of people can be helped by conservative (non surgical) treatments.
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