Are Hammertoes Hereditary?

Hammertoe is a common foot deformity that primarily affects the second, third, or fourth toe, and is frequently caused by wearing shoes that have too little room in the toe area and/or offer little arch support. As the condition worsens, the toe will frequently curl downward, and can become very painful.

Hammertoe develops due to an imbalance in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that normally support the toe and keep it straight. If the hammertoe is left untreated it can become fixed in place and possibly require surgery to alleviate pain and restore anatomic positioning.

Hereditary influence 

The extent to which hammertoe is hereditary is closely associated with the type of foot your parents or grandparents have. If someone in your family tree had hammertoe, you are more at risk for developing the condition yourself, especially if you have the same type of foot shape they had.

For example, if you have a family member who had at least one or more twisted or crooked toes, you are at greater risk for developing hammertoe.

Causes of hammertoe

Hammertoe can be caused by a number of different factors, some of which are avoidable and others which are not. Here are the primary contributors to the development of hammertoe:

• Shoe types – wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe area, or wearing high heels can cause the toes to be fixed in a cramped position that limits straightening of the toes.

• Gender – females are more likely to develop hammertoe than males.

• Injuries – any toe that gets jammed, stubbed, or broken is more prone to develop hammertoe.

• Age – the risk of developing hammertoe increases with age.

• Length of toes – it's more likely for hammertoe to develop when the second toe is longer than the big toe.

• Diseases – individuals who suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis are far more likely to develop foot problems including hammertoe.

Treatment options

If your hammertoe condition is in a relatively early stage, there are some conservative treatments that your physician may recommend to you to alleviate pain which may slow progression of the condition.

However, once hammertoe reaches an advanced stage and becomes painful, surgery may be the primary recommendation. Fortunately, there is now a minimally invasive option that may allow for a quicker recovery from surgery. The TenoTac® System from Paragon 28 addresses the root cause of the deformity (i.e. a soft tissue imbalance) and is designed to restore the toe to its normal anatomic position by stabilizing and rebalancing the toe.

Learn more about the procedure and your treatment options or speak to a surgeon in your local area by visiting our surgeon finder.

Important Risk Information

Only a surgeon can tell if the TenoTac® Procedure is right for you. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. Potential risks include but are not limited to infection, discomfort, or swelling due to balancing and introduction of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction. Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

For the contraindications, potential complications and adverse reactions, warnings and precautions associated with this device, please refer to the device specific instructions for use at https://www.paragon28.com/ifus.

For additional information on Paragon 28® and its products please visit www.paragon28.com.

References 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315600

https://www.tenotac.com/patients

https://www.kcfootcare.com/hammertoe/is-a-hammertoe-hereditary/