Hammer toes form as a consequence of an imbalance in the function of the toe. Sometimes the cause is genetic, whilst in other cases, hammertoes are the result of ill-fitting footwear. At The London Podiatry Centre, we determine the cause for the hammertoe so that the best treatment can be considered.

There are three joints in the toe. In a hammertoe, the bend occurs at the second. If the bend occurs at last joint, then it is a mallet toe.

because the end of the toe takes on a thickened appearance and therefore looks a bit like a mallet.

Yes, sometimes a mallet toe will form because of tight footwear and this can then also cause deformity at the first joint, leading to a hammertoe.

The only way to correct a hammertoe is through surgery. There is no splint that will correct a fixed hammertoe. At The London Podiatry Centre, surgery is performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis.

The most important thing is to make sure that your shoes are the correct size. If you wear roomy shoes, even when s hammertoe has formed, you may not receive any pressure from the shoe, and as a consequence, you will feel no pain.

In most cases hammertoe surgery involves cutting of bone and removing a small section of the toe to straighten it. At The London Podiatry Centre, we usually also rebalance the tendons to make sure that an optimal result is achieved.

All foot surgery involves a degree of risk. Typically, such risks include pain, swelling, infection, thrombosis, recurrence, regression, complex pain, nerve pain and abnormal scarring. In addition, some toes can remain very swollen (sausage toe). Reassuringly however, most patients who undergo hammertoe surgery are very pleased with the result and the risk of complication is small.

Yes, a hammertoe is simply a description for a fixed deformity at the second joint in the toe. (the proximal interphalangeal joint)

There are a vast array of different toe deformities that can be fixed with surgery. This ranges from web toes to hammertoes and mallet toes. Nail problems can also be addressed with surgery.

A hammertoe is when there is an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. It causes the toe to bend upwards.

A hammertoe will not mend on its own. In fact, it will probably worsen over time.