Hammertoe

Hammertoe services offered in Greenwood, IN


If you have a chronic medical condition, like diabetes or arthritis, you’re also more likely to experience a hammertoe. Though painful, with intervention and treatment, it’s possible to prevent the hammertoe from getting worse. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM and his team specialize in treating hammertoes. To make an appointment, call our office or request an appointment online today.

Hammertoe Q&A

What is a hammertoe?

A hammertoe occurs when one of your toes remains bent in a C-shape. Hammertoes form when there’s an imbalance with the soft tissues that hold your toe straight. 

If you have a hammertoe, don’t wait to make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you are to need surgery.

What are the symptoms of a hammertoe?

The most obvious symptom of a hammertoe is an abnormal bend in one of your middle toe joints. As the condition gets worse, you might find it hard to straighten or put weight on the affected toe. You might also experience corns or calluses on the top of the toe where your skin rubs against your socks or shoes.

Who is at risk of experiencing a hammertoe?

Several factors may increase your risk of a hammertoe, including:

  • Being a woman
  • Being middle-aged
  • Having abnormally long toes
  • Having an underlying medical condition like arthritis

You’re also more likely to experience a hammertoe if you’ve stubbed or broken your toe in the past.

How is a hammertoe diagnosed?

The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses a hammertoe during an in-office visit.

Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started and if they’re worse when you wear certain types of shoes. Next, they examine your toe, looking for redness, bruising, or swelling. Your provider carefully moves your toe from side to side and assesses its overall flexibility.

Next, your provider orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures capture images of your hard and soft tissues. 

How is a hammertoe treated?

Treatment of a hammertoe depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your mobility. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:

  • Wearing comfortable shoes with a low heel
  • Orthotics
  • Stretches to extend your toe muscles
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Physical therapy

If conservative treatments don’t provide lasting relief, your provider might recommend surgery. During hammertoe surgery, your Greenwood Foot Clinic provider uses special tools to release the tendon that’s keeping your toe bent.

To receive treatment for a hammertoe, make an appointment by calling Greenwood Foot Clinic or requesting an appointment online today.

Greenwood Foot Clinic
720 Fry Rd, Ste A, Greenwood, IN 46142
317-881-0788