Why Are My Toes Bending?

A Guide to Handling Hammertoes

Have you noticed one of your toes starting to bend or "curl" at the middle joint? At first, it might have been a minor annoyance. But now, you might be noticing that it's painful to walk or difficult to find shoes that fit.

That bent toe is called a hammertoe, and it's one of the most common deformities we treat. It's not just a cosmetic issue; it's a progressive condition that can lead to significant pain and a serious reduction in your mobility over time. For this post, Amarillo Foot Specialists will explain what a hammertoe is, then cover how we can fix it!

What Exactly is a Hammertoe?

A hammertoe is a deformity that causes your toe to bend or contract at the middle joint, making it look like an upside-down "V."

·         This is most common in the second, third, or fourth toes.

·         It's caused by an imbalance in the muscles and tendons that are supposed to hold the toe straight.

·         When one muscle becomes stronger than the other, it pulls the toe, "buckling" the joint and forcing it to bend.

This imbalance is often caused by:

  • Foot Structure: High arches or flat feet can destabilize the toes.

  • Bunions: A bunion on the big toe can crowd the other toes, forcing them to bend.

  • Footwear: Years of wearing shoes that are too tight, narrow, or high-heeled can force toes into a bent position.

  • Injury: A previous toe-stubbing or break can also lead to the deformity.

The Big Problem: Why You Can't Ignore a "Minor" Hammertoe

The single most important thing to understand about a hammertoe is that it is progressive. It will not get better on its own, and it will almost certainly get worse.

The condition starts in a "flexible" stage.

  • Flexible Hammertoe: In the early stages, the toe is still movable. You can likely press on it and straighten it out with your fingers, even if it's uncomfortable.

Over time, it progresses to a "rigid" stage.

  • Rigid Hammertoe: As the imbalance continues, the tendons and soft tissues tighten, and the joint itself begins to "freeze" in that bent position. At this point, you can no longer straighten the toe, even with your hands.

This is where the real problems begin. A rigid hammertoe leads to:

  • Painful Corns & Calluses

  • Difficulty with Shoes

  • Loss of Mobility

What About Conservative Treatment?

In the early, "flexible" stage, we can manage the symptoms with conservative care.

 This includes:

  • Shoe changes (wearing shoes with a deep, wide toe box).

  • Padding to protect the corns from rubbing.

  • Custom orthotics to help control the muscle and tendon imbalance.

While these steps can provide relief, it's important to remember that they do not correct the deformity. Rather, they manage the symptoms.

For a permanent, corrective solution, surgery is necessary.

The Modern Fix: Minimally Invasive Surgery

When you hear "foot surgery," you might picture a long, painful recovery with pins and a boot for months. But for hammertoes, we often make use of Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) procedures.

  • How it Works: Instead of a large, open incision, we use a very small (often just a few millimeters) opening.

  • The Goal: Through this small opening, we can release the tight tendon or make a tiny, precise bone cut to allow the toe to straighten.

  • The Benefits: Because the incision is so small, there is significantly less trauma to the tissue. This means less swelling, less pain, and a much faster recovery. Many patients can walk on their foot in a surgical shoe almost immediately.

Take Action and Hurt Less!

Don't wait for a flexible problem to become a rigid one. If you see your toes starting to bend, schedule a consultation!

Questions? Concerns? Contact Dr. Brandon Holloway and Dr. Archana Krishnan of Amarillo Foot Specialists, located in Amarillo, TX, at (806) 322-3338 today to schedule a consultation! We look forward to seeing you.

Toes, HammertoesWPVtoes, Amarillo, Amarillo Foot Specialists, Podiatrist, Podiatric Problems, Toe Pain, Hammertoes