A hammertoe occurs when one of your middle toes stays bent in a curved position.

Normally, a group of ligaments, muscles, and tendons help your toe lie flat. But if you injure yourself or experience general wear-and-tear, these soft tissues become weak. That weakness causes your toe to bend, increasing your risk of other problems, like corns, calluses, and blisters.

The symptoms of a hammertoe include:

• A stiff toe joint
• Toe pain
• Pain in the ball of your foot
• Corns, calluses, or blisters on your toe joint
• Redness and inflammation
• A burning sensation

If you have diabetes or another health problem that affects your circulation, you might also develop an open wound or infection.

Make an appointment with Dr. Hendrix if you have a swollen or irritated toe that affects your mobility or quality of life. It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible because a hammertoe gets progressively worse over time.

To diagnose a hammertoe, Dr. Hendrix reviews your medical records and asks about your hammertoe, including when you first noticed it, if certain activities irritate it, and if you’ve tried any at-home treatments.

Next, Dr. Hendrix completes a podiatry exam. He will look at your toe for redness, swelling, or bruising, and carefully move your toe from side to side. He also checks your joint’s range of motion and takes a series of X-rays. If you have diabetes, Dr. Hendrix might also conduct special tests to check for nerve damage.

Treatment of a hammertoe depends on various things, including your age, the severity of the bend in your toe, and your symptoms. Dr. Hendrix usually recommends minimally invasive measures, including:

• Custom orthotics
• Corticosteroid injections
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication
• Taping your toes
• Wearing insulated padding
• Physical therapy

If your hammertoe doesn’t respond to these less invasive treatments, Dr. Hendrix might recommend surgery. During hammertoe surgery, Dr. Hendrix uses special tools to realign your joint. That helps your toe lie flat, restoring your mobility.