Hammertoes and their related deformities are unsightly contractures of the joints of the lesser toes. They typically occur from muscle and ligament imbalance and typically worsen from neglect.

Besides being unpleasant to look at and causing difficulty with fitting into stylish shoes, these deformities tend to be progressive with time and lead to further disfigurement of the foot and suffering. Often times, they result in dislocation of the metatarsophalangeal joint (where the ball of foot meets the base of the toe) with crossover toe deformity. Furthermore, excessive hammertoe contractures cause excessive pressure on the plantar aspect of the ball of the foot, causing additional complications and pain.

Besides the structural problems and inflammation that they can cause, hammertoes typically produce painful and unsightly bursal sacs, corns and calluses at the affected joints. Conservative treatment is an option, but usually minimally successful. Early correction can be as simple a soft tissue release, however more advanced deformities typically require more advanced procedures which will be discussed in detail during the initial consultation.