What Causes Hammertoe Deformity?
Hammertoe is a condition affecting the foot in which an abnormal bend develops in the middle joint of a toe, often the one next to the big toe. The condition generally develops because of an imbalance in the ligaments, tendons, or muscles which are responsible for holding the toe straight. It's a condition that can develop because of unusual foot structure, some types of diseases, trauma to the foot, and even the type of shoes you wear. In some cases, the pressure and pain resulting from hammertoe can be relieved by installing shoe inserts or wearing more comfortable footwear. In more severe cases of hammertoe, it may be necessary to undergo surgery to straighten the toe and restore balance which can be determined by your physician.
Causes of Hammertoe
Scientists believe that there is a hereditary element associated with hammertoe, although strictly speaking, no one really inherits hammertoe from a parent. What is inherited, however, is a potential abnormality in the foot structure that can be prone to the development of hammertoe. Another potential cause of hammertoe is trauma that occurs to one or more toes of the foot, such as breaking a toe or stubbing it severely on a hard surface.
Wearing high-heeled shoes for a long period of time, or footwear that is excessively tight in the toe area, can also lead to the development of hammertoe. When the toes are unable to lie flat in position while wearing shoes, it can cause them to curl up as a natural response, and this curled-up position can then become semi-permanent over time.
Complications from hammertoe
In the early stages of hammertoe, you might retain flexibility for quite a while. Eventually the tendons of your toe may contract and tighten up, which can cause the toe to stay bent permanently. In this bent position, it's likely that the toe will rub against some part of the shoe which can lead to the development of painful calluses or corns.
Relief from hammertoe
Problems like hammertoe can be reduced and, in some cases, eliminated simply by wearing proper footwear which has adequate toe room and does not force the toes to become curled. Wearing high heels for years will often force toe joints out of position and put a great deal of pressure on them, so this is something that should be avoided if possible. Depending on the severity of your hammertoe your physician may recommend these initial types of relief.
If your hammertoe condition has reached an advanced stage and your doctor is recommending surgery, there is new minimally invasive surgical solution available. Paragon 28 has developed the TenoTac® Soft Tissue Fixation System, which is a less invasive procedure that requires two small incisions. Some patients may be able to recover quicker with this procedure than with traditional surgical options. Following this procedure, the patient is may be able to maintain mobility, which would not be the case if fusion surgery were the chosen solution. The TenoTac procedure stabilizes the soft tissues around the toe correcting toe positioning so that normal activities can potentially be pursued once again.
If you are interested in learning more about TenoTac® visit our surgeon finder to find a qualified surgeon near you that practices this procedure.
