Explore Leading-Edge Hammertoe Treatments in Commerce Twp., MI
If you’re experiencing discomfort or difficulty walking due to a bent or curled toe, it may be time to explore treatment options for hammertoe.
At Lakes Foot & Ankle, our team treats the full range of foot deformities, offering care for mild hammertoe treatment, diabetic foot care hammertoe, and even advanced severe hammertoe correction. Whether your condition is caused by genetics, arthritis, or improper footwear, we provide both non-surgical hammertoe treatment and surgical options for hammertoe, depending on your situation.
We help patients find lasting relief with a personalized approach that may include custom orthotics for hammertoe, hammertoe braces, or targeted hammertoe exercises. For many, hammertoe pain relief can begin with simple changes, like wearing the best shoes for hammertoe or using hammertoe padding or a hammertoe splint. When more involved care is required, our podiatrist for hammertoe will evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate next steps, including hammertoe surgery if needed.
From identifying hammertoe causes to helping you learn how to prevent hammertoe in the future, Lakes Foot & Ankle is your trusted hammertoe specialist in Commerce Township.
Hammertoe Causes
Hammertoe is a deformity that often develops gradually when there is an imbalance between the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally keep the toe straight. This condition most commonly affects the second, third, or fourth toe, and often begins as a flexible hammertoe that can be corrected with conservative treatments.
Over time, it may become fixed in a bent position, especially at the joint near the tip of the toe. Repeated pressure from footwear or underlying structural problems, such as flat feet, can also contribute to its progression.
Muscle imbalances in the toe muscles are one of the most common root causes, often worsened by shoes that crowd the toes or put excessive pressure on the ball of the foot. When left untreated, hammertoes can lead to painful corns and calluses from constant rubbing against the inside of shoes. In some cases, physical therapy, a shoe insert, or anti-inflammatories may be recommended to reduce discomfort and help straighten the toe.
However, if symptoms persist or worsen, a more advanced treatment plan may involve tendon transfer or surgical treatment. Experienced foot and ankle surgeons can determine if surgical options are appropriate or if the condition can still be managed without procedures that require surgery.
Hammertoe Symptoms
This condition often starts with subtle discomfort but can become increasingly painful and disruptive without early intervention. Common signs include a toe that bends downward at the middle joint, typically affecting the second, third, or fourth toe. Over time, the bent toe may become rigid and difficult to move. You might notice irritation when wearing shoes, especially in tight or narrow toe boxes, as pressure builds around the joint or tip of the toe.
Additional symptoms include redness, inflammation, or the formation of corns and calluses where the toe rubs against footwear. Pain is often felt in the ball of the foot or when walking for extended periods. As the condition progresses, swelling and stiffness may increase, and it may become challenging to find comfortable shoes. If the joint becomes too inflexible or painful, it’s important to seek evaluation from a foot and ankle specialist to prevent long-term joint damage and explore proper treatment options.
The best way to address this condition depends on how advanced it is and whether the affected toe is still flexible. Early-stage cases can often be treated with conservative methods such as custom orthotics, toe padding, or shoe modifications that reduce pressure on the joint. Stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the toe muscles may also help restore alignment.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and proper footwear can provide additional relief by reducing strain and irritation. In more advanced cases where the joint is rigid or painful, procedures such as a tendon transfer or other surgical treatment may be needed to straighten the toe and correct the underlying muscle imbalance.
Before deciding on a treatment plan, it’s important to consult our foot and ankle specialists who can assess the severity and determine whether conservative care will be effective. While some cases respond well to physical therapy and bracing, others may require surgery to restore function and relieve pain. Timely care improves long-term outcomes and helps prevent complications like corns, calluses, or difficulty walking.
Though both are common foot deformities, these two conditions affect different areas of the foot and have distinct causes. A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, pushing it outward and misaligning the joint. It’s often caused by genetics, structural imbalances, or wearing tight shoes over long periods. In contrast, toe deformities affecting the second, third, or fourth toes involve a downward bend at the middle joint, leading to stiffness or pain at the tip of the toe.
The symptoms also differ: bunions typically cause soreness along the side of the foot and can make wearing shoes difficult, while other toe issues often lead to pressure on the top of the joint or the ball of the foot. Although both may result in inflammation, redness, or limited mobility, the required treatments are not the same. Bunion care may involve alignment splints, wider shoes, or surgical realignment, while other deformities may need muscle-targeted therapies or procedures to address joint rigidity.
While both conditions involve bent toes, they impact the joints in different ways. A typical curled toe bends downward at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like appearance, often limited to one or two joints. Claw toe, however, involves bending at both the middle and end joints, sometimes even affecting all four smaller toes. This results in a more pronounced curl that digs into the sole of the shoe, often causing increased pain and pressure on the tip.
Claw toe is more commonly linked to nerve damage or neurological conditions, whereas the hammer-like deformity is frequently caused by muscle imbalances, poorly fitting shoes, or biomechanical issues.
Because of these differences, treatment plans vary. One condition may respond well to splinting and strengthening exercises, while the other may require more advanced intervention to relieve symptoms and restore function.
Arthritis affects the joints themselves, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and degradation of cartilage over time. It can occur anywhere in the body, including the feet and toes, and is often a contributing factor in the development of other foot deformities. The key difference lies in the cause—arthritis is a systemic or localized joint disease, while structural deformities like toe curling result from mechanical imbalances, tendon issues, or footwear pressure.
Despite these distinctions, the symptoms can overlap. Both conditions may cause swelling, pain, and reduced mobility in the toe joints. However, arthritis is typically progressive and may affect multiple joints simultaneously, whereas other toe conditions often start with a single digit and progress due to external or muscular factors.
A proper diagnosis from our foot and ankle specialists is essential to determine the appropriate treatment plan, whether it includes joint care, physical therapy, or corrective surgery.
A range of treatments is available to relieve pain and restore alignment, depending on the severity and flexibility of the affected toe. For early cases, conservative treatments like a shoe insert, toe padding, or braces can reduce discomfort and slow progression. Custom orthotics are often recommended to correct imbalances and redistribute pressure away from sensitive areas. Physical therapy may also help by strengthening surrounding muscles and improving range of motion.
When conservative care is no longer effective, surgical options may be necessary. These can include tendon release procedures, joint fusion, or even removal of a small portion of bone to straighten the toe. Some cases benefit from tendon transfer techniques that realign muscular pull and improve function. Our experienced providers can walk you through the benefits and risks of each option to create a plan that fits your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Find Relief with Trusted Hammertoe Treatments
If you’re living with discomfort from bent or painful toes, it’s time to take the next step toward lasting relief. At Lakes Foot & Ankle Associates, we offer both conservative care and advanced correction options tailored to your needs. From custom orthotics and padding to surgical treatment when necessary, our team will help you find the most effective solution for your lifestyle.
Call (248) 360-3888 or request an appointment online to explore personalized hammertoe treatments and get expert care from specialists you can trust.