Hammertoe Treatment in Louisville, KY

A hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs when the middle joint of a toe develops an abnormal bend, causing the joint to buckle upward and the tip of the toe to point downward (similar in appearance to a hammer claw). This potentially painful condition—which can affect the second, third, or fourth toe—can cause difficulty walking. Due to excess friction, a corn or callus may eventually form on the bent joint.

In many cases, a hammertoe is caused by a muscle imbalance, which can result from arthritis or wearing tight shoes. As the muscles in the lower leg or foot weaken, the tendons in the foot may begin to pull excessively on the toes.

If you have symptoms of a hammertoe, you can consult with an expert at Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. We emphasize personalized orthopedic care, including hammertoe treatment provided by our experienced foot and ankle specialists.

How Is a Hammertoe Treated?

In many cases, nonsurgical treatment can effectively address the muscle imbalance that is causing a hammertoe. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, we might suggest:

• Physical therapy
• “Buddy taping” (bandaging the damaged toe together with an adjacent healthy toe for added support during the healing process)
• Custom shoe inserts
• Splinting
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Cortisone injections

In general, surgical hammertoe treatment is considered only to address severe symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatment. The goal of surgery is to reduce pain and improve function by correcting the alignment of the affected joint. To accomplish this, a surgeon may perform a tenotomy or a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fusion.

Regardless of whether hammertoe treatment involves conservative therapies or surgery, it is important to take steps to prevent the problem from recurring. The most important preventive strategy is to always wear roomy, low-heeled shoes that do not pressure the toes.

If you’d like to discuss hammertoe treatment with a foot and ankle specialist at Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic, contact us to request an appointment at our location in Louisville, KY.