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Hammertoe

feet with hammertoe

Hammertoe is a condition that affects the second, third, or fourth toe and can be extremely painful. This may limit your ability to work, school, or lead an active lifestyle.

At Milwaukee Advanced Foot & Ankle Clinic in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Mexton Deacon, DPM, can regularly diagnose and treat hammertoe for your convenience.

What is hammertoe?

Hammertoe is an abnormality to the structure of your toe that can result in a deformity. It usually affects the middle joint of the toe, which bends down and resembles a hammer.

Treatment for a hammertoe depends on a case to case basis, from conservative measures to surgery to repair the structural damage.

What are common signs and symptoms of hammertoe?

The most obvious sign of hammertoe is the deformity. If you notice a bend in the middle joint of your toe, giving it a “V-shape,” you may likely have a hammertoe.

What causes hammertoe?

These are three of the most likely causes of hammertoe:

  • Certain shoes, such as high heels
  • Sports injury, stubbing your toe, or breaking or jamming your toe
  • An imbalance of your toe muscles
  • Older age, toe length, and certain diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes.

How is hammertoe treated?

Most cases of hammertoe, your doctor can treat them with an adjustment to your footwear and custom orthotics to give you extra support.

Dr. Deacon may also recommend some toe stretches to help strengthen your toe. In rare cases, Dr. Deacon may recommend surgery to release the tendon or remove a piece of bone that’s preventing your toe from lying flat.

Learn More

To learn more about arthritis and personalized treatment plans, please feel free to contact us.

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