Hammer Toes

In general, the term hammertoe describes a buckling of any of the toe joints. Joints at the end or the middle of the toe as well as joints near the ball the foot may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a muscle imbalance or a tight tendon. Hammertoes vary in the severity and in the number of joints and toes involved. A hammertoe becomes painful when the contracted joint hits the top of the shoe and rubs a corn. A corn is simply a thickening of the skin over the bony prominence that occurs due to friction.

There are several ways of corn can be treated. Oftentimes we will palliate a corn which means to trim off the dead skin and pad around the corn. You to treat a corn indefinitely in this manner. Some patients choose to have an operation that can permanently get rid of the corn. This involves local anesthesia and surgery in the office or hospital.