Hammertoe Correction in Kalamazoo, MI

Straighten Painful Toes and Walk in Comfort Again

A hammertoe is a common foot deformity that causes one or more of your smaller toes to bend abnormally at the middle joint, creating a curled or “hammer-like” appearance. This misalignment can lead to pain, corns, difficulty fitting into shoes, and increased pressure on other parts of the foot.

At Kalamazoo Foot Surgery, we offer advanced hammertoe treatment—including both surgical and non-surgical options—to relieve discomfort, correct toe alignment, and help you return to daily activities without pain.

Common Causes of Hammertoe

You may be more likely to develop hammertoes if:

• You regularly wear tight or narrow shoes, especially high heels
• You have an imbalance in the muscles or tendons of the toe
• Your second toe is longer than your big toe
• You have arthritis or inflammatory joint conditions
• You’ve experienced trauma or injury to a toe

Over time, these risk factors can cause the toe to become fixed in a bent position if left untreated.

Symptoms of Hammertoe

Patients with hammertoe often report:

• A bent toe that curls downward at the middle joint
• Pain while walking or wearing shoes
• Corns or calluses forming on the top or tip of the toe
• Redness or swelling in the affected toe
• Reduced mobility or stiffness in the toe joint

In more advanced cases, the joint becomes rigid and the toe cannot be manually straightened.

Diagnosis

During your consultation at Kalamazoo Foot Surgery, our experienced team will:

• Review your medical history and foot pain symptoms
• Examine your foot for toe flexibility, pressure points, and corns
• Assess your foot structure and any underlying deformities
• Order X-rays if needed to evaluate joint alignment and severity

This evaluation helps us determine the best course of treatment for your condition.

Flexible vs. Rigid Hammertoe

• Flexible hammertoe – The toe can still be straightened manually and may respond well to conservative care.
• Rigid hammertoe – The joint is stiff and fixed in place, often requiring surgical correction to restore function.

Treatment Options for Hammertoe

Hammertoe treatment depends on the severity of the deformity and how much it impacts your daily life. We always start with conservative options when appropriate and recommend surgery only when necessary.

Nonsurgical Treatments

For flexible hammertoes or mild cases, we may recommend:

• Wearing wider, more supportive shoes to reduce pressure
• Using toe pads, cushions, or splints to relieve friction
• Custom orthotics to correct muscle imbalance and support the arch
• Stretching exercises to improve flexibility
• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and discomfort

These treatments can reduce pain and prevent the condition from worsening.

Surgical Options

If your hammertoe is rigid or causing significant pain, surgical correction may be the most effective option. The goal of surgery is to straighten the toe and restore function.

Surgical procedures may include:

• Tendon lengthening or transfer to rebalance the toe
• Joint resection (arthroplasty) to remove a portion of the joint
• Fusion (arthrodesis) to permanently straighten and stabilize the toe
• Implant insertion to maintain alignment during healing

We’ll walk you through your surgical plan, expected recovery time, and post-operative care to ensure a smooth healing process.