Hammer toes or claw toes

Hammer toes and claw toes are deformities in which the toes become bent. They can affect any toe, except the big toe. Claw toes can cause uncomfortable pressure points and pain in the toes. The condition can occur at any age, but is more common in older people. A podiatrist can treat hammer toes and claw toes. The terms ‘hammer toe’ and ‘claw toe’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two conditions.

What is a hammer toe?

With a hammer toe, only one joint in your toe is affected: the first joint in the phalanx. The joint is bent downwards, causing a hammer toe to develop.

What is a claw toe?

In the case of a claw toe, both joints in the phalanx are affected. The entire toe then curves downwards, causing the tip of the toe to touch the ground.

Hammer toes or claw toes are usually caused by an imbalance between the flexor and extensor muscles of the toes. This is caused by:

• Wearing the wrong size, too-small shoes;
• Joint inflammation, such as osteoarthritis en rheumatism;
• Diabetes;
• Abnormal foot position with abnormal gait pattern
• A flat foot
• Hallux Valgus (crooked big toe)

• Painful corns often develop on hammer toes because they press against and rub against the shoe. These can be removed by a chiropodist;
• Do your corns come back quickly? A podiatrist can offer solutions for this;
• Hammer toes cause increased pressure under the forefoot, which can lead to overuse.

The treatment the podiatrist carries out depends on the type of hammer toe. Flexible hammer toes can often be treated effectively with a flexible orthosis made of silicone. This orthosis ensures that the toes are stretched.

Treatment for a stiff hammer toe is usually focused more on protection. It is difficult to achieve a straightening effect, so the aim will be to protect the toe and maintain its current position.

Painful forefoot caused by hammer toes can be treated with an orthosis or with a pressure-relieving podiatric insoles. Sometimes it is necessary to operate on a hammer toe. The operation takes place in hospital.

Claw toes and hammer toes can be divided into two types: those where the toes are stiff and those where they are flexible.

Stiff toes:

The toe joints are stiff and cannot be stretched using your fingers. This condition can be very painful and severely restrict walking.

Flexible toes:

The toe joints are flexible and you can stretch them using your fingers. This position is often less painful than the one with stiff toes.