A hammertoe is a toe that bends abnormally at the middle joint, curling downward instead of lying flat, usually because of a muscle and tendon imbalance. At New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute in Albuquerque, most hammertoes are treated without surgery using wider footwear, custom orthotics, padding, and toe exercises, with surgery reserved for rigid toes that no longer respond to conservative care.
New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute is an experienced Albuquerque podiatrist office that diagnoses and treats hammertoes at every stage. Our podiatrists assess the cause of the deformity and how flexible the toe still is, then build a treatment plan around your symptoms, footwear, and goals so you can walk comfortably again.
Schedule Your Hammertoe Evaluation
For Patients With Diabetes: A bent toe that rubs the shoe can form corns, calluses, or open sores that are slow to heal. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, have any toe sore checked promptly to protect your foot health. Learn more about diabetic foot care.
What Is a Hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a deformity in which a toe bends downward at the middle joint instead of pointing straight ahead. It develops when the muscles and tendons that control the toe fall out of balance, which pulls the toe into a bent, claw-like position. Hammertoes most often affect the second, third, or fourth toe.
Early on, a hammertoe is usually flexible and can still be straightened by hand. Over time, if the imbalance is not addressed, the toe can become rigid and fixed in the bent position. Knowing whether a toe is still flexible or has become rigid is an important part of choosing the right treatment. Related toe deformities, such as crossover toe, are evaluated the same way.
Symptoms of Hammertoes
Hammertoe symptoms usually start mild and become more noticeable as the toe bends further. Common signs include:
- A toe that bends downward at the middle joint
- Pain or pressure at the top of the bent toe, especially in shoes
- Corns or calluses where the toe rubs against the shoe or a neighboring toe
- Redness, swelling, or a burning feeling over the joint
- Difficulty finding comfortable shoes
- A toe that becomes harder to straighten over time
If a toe is increasingly painful, stiff, or developing sores, it is time to see a podiatrist. Treating a hammertoe while it is still flexible usually means simpler care.
What Causes Hammertoes?
Hammertoes form when the muscles and tendons that move the toe become imbalanced, which gradually pulls the toe into a bent position. Common contributors include:
- Tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes that crowd the toes
- Foot structure and mechanics, including flat feet or high arches that make the toes overwork during walking
- Related forefoot problems such as bunions, which can push neighboring toes out of position
- Prior toe injuries
- Arthritis and certain nerve or muscle conditions
- Family history and inherited foot type
Because footwear plays a large role, choosing shoes with a roomy toe box is an important part of both prevention and treatment. Our team can help you find supportive options and recommended shoe stores in Albuquerque.
How Hammertoes Are Diagnosed
An accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment, so our podiatrists evaluate both the toe and the foot mechanics behind it.
- Symptom and footwear review: We discuss your pain, how long the toe has been bending, and the shoes you wear.
- Physical examination: We check whether the toe is still flexible or has become rigid, and we look for corns, calluses, or sores caused by rubbing.
- Gait and structure assessment: We evaluate how your foot moves and whether flat feet, high arches, or a bunion are contributing.
- Imaging when appropriate: On-site digital imaging shows the position of the joints and helps plan treatment when surgery is being considered.
Non-Surgical Hammertoe Treatments
Most hammertoes improve with conservative care, especially when the toe is still flexible. Our podiatrists start with the least invasive options to relieve pressure and slow the progression. You can also read our guide to non-surgical hammertoe options.
- Footwear changes: Shoes with a wider, deeper toe box and a lower heel take pressure off the bent toe.
- Custom orthotics: Custom orthotics help correct the foot mechanics driving the imbalance and redistribute pressure across the foot.
- Padding and taping: Toe pads, crest pads, and splints cushion the toe and can hold a flexible toe in a straighter position.
- Corn and callus care: We safely reduce painful corns and calluses that form where the toe rubs.
- Toe exercises: Simple stretching and strengthening exercises help keep a flexible toe mobile.
- Activity and lifestyle adjustments: Small changes reduce repeated pressure on the toe while other treatments take effect.
When Is Surgery Recommended?
If a hammertoe becomes rigid and painful, or conservative care no longer controls the symptoms, surgery can straighten the toe and relieve the rubbing in shoes. As experienced Albuquerque foot surgeons, we recommend a procedure only when it is the right step for you, and we explain the options clearly first.
Candidates for Surgery
Surgery is generally considered when the toe has stiffened into a fixed position, when corns or sores keep returning, or when pain limits walking and footwear choices despite non-surgical care.
The Procedure and Recovery
Hammertoe surgery typically lengthens or rebalances the contracted tendons and joint capsule, and may remove a small section of bone so the toe can lie straight. A pin or small implant is sometimes used to hold the toe while it heals. Most people return to normal activity over several weeks as healing progresses. You can learn more about our foot and ankle surgery approach.
Why Choose New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute?
Patients across the Albuquerque metro area trust us with their hammertoe care because we combine accurate diagnosis with a conservative-first philosophy and advanced surgical options when they are needed.
- Comprehensive diagnosis: We assess the toe, the foot mechanics behind it, and how flexible the deformity still is before recommending treatment.
- Conservative-first philosophy: We start with non-surgical care and recommend surgery only when the toe is rigid or pain persists.
- Advanced podiatric expertise: Our podiatrists treat hammertoes at every stage, from early and flexible to rigid and painful.
- Personalized care plans: We build your plan around your symptoms, footwear, and goals, and explain every option clearly.
- Convenient Albuquerque location: Our Northeast Heights office on Pan American Fwy NE offers flexible scheduling and on-site digital imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a toe that bends abnormally at the middle joint so it curls downward instead of lying flat. It usually develops from a muscle and tendon imbalance and most often affects the second, third, or fourth toe.
What are the symptoms of a hammertoe?
Common symptoms include a toe that bends downward, pain or pressure at the top of the toe, corns or calluses where the toe rubs the shoe, and difficulty finding comfortable footwear. Early hammertoes are still flexible, while longstanding ones can become stiff.
Can hammertoes be fixed without surgery?
Often, yes, especially when the toe is still flexible. Wider shoes, custom orthotics, padding, toe exercises, and activity changes can relieve pain and slow the progression. Surgery is considered when the toe becomes rigid or conservative care no longer controls the pain.
What causes hammertoes?
Hammertoes are caused by an imbalance in the muscles and tendons that control the toe, often made worse by tight or narrow shoes and high heels. Foot structure such as flat feet or high arches, bunions, prior toe injuries, and conditions like arthritis can also contribute.
Do hammertoes get worse over time?
Hammertoes tend to worsen gradually if the underlying imbalance is not addressed. A flexible toe can stiffen into a rigid deformity over time, so early treatment usually means simpler, non-surgical care.
When is surgery needed for a hammertoe?
Surgery is considered when a hammertoe becomes rigid, painful, and no longer responds to conservative care. The procedure releases or rebalances the contracted tendons and joint to straighten the toe, and your podiatrist explains the recovery before moving forward.
Our Albuquerque Location
New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute provides expert hammertoe diagnosis and treatment at our Northeast Heights office, serving patients throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding metro area.
Northeast Heights Location
Address: 4343 Pan American Fwy NE, Ste 234, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: (505) 880-1000
Services: Conservative hammertoe care, custom orthotics, padding and splinting, corn and callus care, hammertoe surgery, and comprehensive foot and ankle care
Our Northeast Heights podiatrists serve patients throughout the Albuquerque area in a modern, comfortable setting with on-site digital imaging.
Communities We Serve
- Albuquerque
- Rio Rancho
- Corrales
- Bernalillo
- The greater Albuquerque metro area
Schedule an Appointment for Hammertoe Treatment in Albuquerque
If a bent, painful toe is making it hard to find comfortable shoes or walk without pain, our podiatrists can help. We will assess the cause, explain your options, and start with the most effective conservative treatment so you can get back on your feet. Call (505) 880-1000 or complete our online form to schedule at our Albuquerque office.
Schedule Your Hammertoe Evaluation
Call (505) 880-1000 to schedule at our Albuquerque office.