Hammer toe is a deformity of the toes, in which the tips of the toes are bent downwards, and the joint in the middle of the toe sticks up. Hammer toe can occur on the toes of the index, middle, or ring fingers.
If it just happened, the bent finger can still be straightened again. However, if left for a long time, crooked fingers will be difficult to straighten. In this condition, patients with hammer toe must undergo surgery so that the bent toe can return to its straight line.
Hammer Toe Symptoms
Hammer toe is characterized by a bent toe shape. The joint in the middle of the finger with a hammer toe bends upwards, so that the tip of the finger bends downward. This condition makes the toe affected by hammer toe shaped like an inverted V.
In addition to a bent finger shape, hammer toe sufferers may also experience the following symptoms:
- Calluses on bent fingers, due to friction on the inside of the shoe.
- Redness and swelling of the bent finger joint.
- Itching and irritation at the top of the bent finger.
- Pain and difficulty walking or wearing shoes.
When to go to the doctor
See a doctor if your finger looks bent, hurts, and sores and swelling appear on your toes. An examination by a doctor should also be carried out if the pain in the foot makes it difficult for you to walk and is uncomfortable when wearing shoes.
Causes of Hammer Toe
In most cases, hammer toes are caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow. This habit makes the muscles and tendons in the toes tighten and shorten. As a result, the toes will bend.
In addition to the habit of wearing narrow shoes, hammer toe can also be caused by the following things:
- Arthritis and rrheumatoid arthritis.
- Injuries to the toes.
- Deformity of the big toe (bunion).
- Genetic disorders, such as flat feet or arched feet.
- Injury to the peripheral nerves or spinal cord.
Hammer Toe Diagnosis
Doctors can determine hammer toe by looking at the condition of the bent toe. If needed, the doctor can also perform X-rays of the patient's feet to look for possible injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and bones in the toes.
Hammer Toe Treatment
Hammer toe treatment is tailored to the severity of the patient. If the bent toe can still be straightened, the doctor will advise the patient to take the following steps:
- Cold compresses bent fingers to relieve swelling.
- Gently massage and straighten toes to relieve pain.
- Use a special splint on the foot (orthotic) to bring the toe back straight.
- Routinely train bent fingers to return straight, for example by picking up towels or marbles using your toes
- Choose the type of shoe according to the activity you are doing, for example, sports shoes for exercising.
- Wear shoes that fit snugly on your feet so you don't put pressure on your bent toes. Try to have at least 1 cm of space between the toe of the shoe and the toe.
To help relieve pain, your doctor will give you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. If the pain is unbearable, the doctor will inject corticosteroids into the crooked finger.
In severe hammer toe and cannot be treated with the above methods, the doctor will perform surgery to straighten the bent finger. Hammer toe surgery is a minor operation and does not require hospitalization.
The operation is performed by cutting a small part of the bone in the bent toe, then connecting the two parts of the bone with a special pen. The pen will be removed after the bone is connected naturally.
Please note, hammer toe surgery can cause infection and nerve injury. The patient's toes that are already straight can also be bent back. However, this condition is rare.
Hammer Toe Prevention
The best way to prevent hammer toe is to wear shoes that fit properly. In addition, hammer toe can also be prevented by choosing shoes with soft inner parts.
If your shoes are starting to feel cramped, immediately replace your shoes with shoes that are bigger and more comfortable. Finally, avoid wearing high heels that are more than 5 cm.