Skip to main content

Hammertoes Specialist

South Denver Podiatry

Podiatrists located in Littleton, CO

Having a hammertoe can in itself become painful, but to make matters worse, the deformity in your toe can lead to uncomfortable corns and calluses. In any case, with the help of board-certified podiatrist Karolina Varnay, DPM, of South Denver Podiatry, you don’t have to learn to live with hammertoe discomfort. Schedule your hammertoe evaluation at this Littleton, Colorado, podiatry clinic online or call the office to speak with a team member.

Hammertoes Q & A

What causes a hammertoe?

A hammertoe is a deformity of your smaller toes where the joint closest to the base of your toe gets stuck in an upward bent position. You can develop a hammertoe by wearing shoes that don’t have enough room in the toes — especially if any of your smaller toes are longer than your big toe.

Over time as your toe continues to get pushed into an unnatural position, muscle and connective tissues stiffen up and become imbalanced, forcing your toe to stay in that bent position. High heels and pointy shoes are notorious for causing hammertoes, although you can also develop them due to:

  • A bunion
  • Trauma or injury
  • Inherited foot shape

You can even have a similar deformity in the joint closest to your nail, which is known as a mallet toe. In either case, causes, symptoms, and treatments are the same.

How are hammertoes treated?

Hammertoes cause a realm of issues, from toe pain and stiffness to uncomfortable corns and calluses. Dr. Varnay carefully evaluates your hammertoe through a physical exam and possibly X-ray imaging to help design your treatment plan. You may need:

  • Custom orthotics
  • Padding, taping, or strapping
  • Physical therapy
  • Personalized stretches
  • Shoes with more toe room

In most cases, it’s common for Dr. Varnay to combine several different types of treatments, so you have the best possible outcome — and fastest pain relief. If needed, she can even remove corns and calluses right in the office.

Do I need surgery for a hammertoe?

You might, although hammertoe surgery is almost always a last resort if you haven’t had improvement from conservative therapies. Hammertoe surgery, performed on an outpatient basis, is tailored to your specific toe deformity. Dr. Varnay may need to:

  • Straighten your toe joint
  • Release soft tissues
  • Repair damaged soft tissues

With her expertise in minimally invasive foot surgery, you can feel confident that Dr. Varnay and her caring team at South Denver Podiatry can help you get relief from hammertoe discomfort.

To find out which hammertoe solution is best for you, schedule an evaluation at South Denver Podiatry. Book online or over the phone.