Complimentary Hammertoe Consultation*
Get a clear , expert evaluation and honest recommendations based of 44+years of experience
Not applicable to Medicare patients due to federal regulations.
Hammer toe deformities are commonly caused by bunions, flatfeet, heredity factors along with improper fitting shoes. The toes are vital in correct walking or running. There are at least six sets of small muscles that control each toe.
The toes are vital in correct walking or running.
If there is an imbalance in the foot, these smaller muscles can be overpowered by larger lower leg muscles causing hammer toe development over time is deform’s the middle joint in the toe. They can become severe with pressure from shoes causing corns on top of the toes.

Hammer toes normally affect the second, third and fourth digits but can affect the outside of the fifth toe also. The toe becomes bent in a fixed position with a slow developing corn on top of the toe. Many times it causes pain from shoe rub and the corn thickening.
If the hammer toe is long standing it’s not uncommon to also have pain on the ball of the foot with or without a callus under the painful toe. The toe can be flexible or rigid. If the second toe is the problem many times it can be to long in relationship to the other toes.
Treatments for hammer toes depends on the severity. When it first starts we can use an orthotic which is a form of a custom shoe insert. In early stages of a hammer toe a minor in office tendon release can give an excellent result. Without early treatment the soft tissues and muscles become tighter and the deformity becomes rigid at the middle joint which then causes a corn on top of the toe. If that occurs more involved surgery is required.
A minor surgical procedure can be done either in the office or outpatient. An incision is made on top of the toe and a small piece of bone is removed to straighten the toe. If the toe is rigid and doesn’t bend then the same procedure is performed but we use an absorbable pin to keep it straight. Rarely is a removable metal pin necessary to hold the toe straight.
There is a newer advanced treatment using minimally invasive surgery, this is performed in our Overland Park or Kansas City. This significantly reduces cost because there is no hospital cost. The treatment is exactly the same with the exception the patient isn’t sedated. We use a real time x-ray to see the bone correct. A combination of a tendon and bone procedure can give the patient a excellent result.

What people ask about hammer toes and treatments?
Many hammertoes—especially early or flexible ones—can be managed without surgery. Conservative care may include shoes with a deep toe box, custom or prefabricated orthotic inserts to reduce pressure and muscle imbalance, protective padding or toe sleeves to prevent corns and irritation, and topical anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling. These measures often relieve symptoms and slow progression.
Yes. Certain underlying conditions can predispose patients to hammertoes and affect treatment decisions. These include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other neuromuscular disorders, inherited bunion deformities, and situations where the big toe overlaps or underlaps the second toe, forcing it upward over time. Identifying these factors is essential to creating an effective treatment plan
If a hammertoe becomes rigid, causes ongoing pain, leads to recurrent corns or ulcers, or interferes with daily activities despite proper shoe gear and orthotics, more advanced treatment may be needed. At that point, surgical correction may be discussed to realign the toe and relieve pressure
In many cases, yes. Hammertoes are often progressive, especially when caused by structural imbalance or inherited foot mechanics. Without treatment, they may become more rigid, painful, and prone to skin breakdown. Early evaluation allows us to slow or stop progression and avoid more invasive treatment late
Nail Fungus 89% successfully treated with Cold laser. Successful treatment of Nail Fungus for 10 years. Oral medication can cause liver damage.
Learn More
Pain in the heel when you first get up in the morning or after sitting for a period of time. Conservative care works 98% of the time.
Learn More
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common problem’s we see, successful conservative treatment occur’s in over 98% of the cases.
Learn More
Cutting edge 3-D Custom-made orthotic are used to treat heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, ankle type pain and lower leg , knee pain and lower back pain by controlling abnormal foot function. Quick 7 day turn around.
Learn More
A bunion is an enlargement of bone at the base of the big toe. It can occur on one or both feet. The big toe becomes deviated towards the second toe—this is called “Hallux Valgus.”
Learn More
Lapiplasty 3D bunion surgery is a recently developed type of surgery for the most severe of all bunion deformities.
Learn More
Ingrown toenails are very common. They are generally heredity and can also be caused by incorrect cutting of the nail itself.
Learn More
Hammer toes crooked and painful in shoes. Corns are on top or side of toe.
Learn More
Morton’s Neuroma is an enlarged nerve that usually occurs between the third and fourth toes, but a neuroma can also occur between the second and third toes.
Learn More
Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure. The pain you have is normally causes by a bone enlargement under the skin which is really causing the pain.
Learn More
A Tailor’s Bunion is a painful enlargement of the bone on the outside edge of the foot, behind the small toe.
Learn More
CLARIX FLO is an injectable regenerative therapy derived from human umbilical cord and amniotic membrane tissues from donated full term Cesarean birth. Commonly used to treat conditions like Achilles tendonitis, tibialis posterior tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Learn More
Pain on top or side of foot can be treated very successfully. Some causes are bone spurs and tendonitis.
Learn More
Weak ankles can be treated with 3-D Custom Orthotics, stopping pain.
Learn More
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) allows podiatrists to treat foot and ankle conditions using tiny incisions, resulting in less pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring. Often done in the office it saves significant cost.
Learn More