Do Hammertoes Increase Your Injury Risk?

That bend in your toe joint that causes your toe to turn downward is called a hammertoe. While it may seem like a minor cosmetic inconvenience at first, hammertoes can lead to bigger issues, especially when it comes to your risk of injury. 

In this blog, Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, explores just how hammertoes make you more prone to falls and other injuries. Let’s dive in. 

Understanding hammertoes

A hammertoe is a foot deformity in which the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, resembling a hammer head. This condition usually results from a muscle imbalance, which tightens the tendons and ligaments in the toe. Over time, this leads to stiffness, pain, and difficulty wearing shoes. 

Virtually anyone can develop a hammertoe, but you’re most at risk if you wear ill-fitting shoes, have a family history of hammertoes, have sustained a toe injury, or have conditions that affect your joints, such as arthritis. 

Hammertoes and your risk of injury

Hammertoes are far from just cosmetic issues. They affect toe positioning and foot function and can increase your likelihood of injury in several ways. 

Increased risk of falls and trips

When your toes don’t lie flat as they should, they’re more likely to catch on rugs, curbs, and uneven surfaces, increasing your likelihood of trips and falls. This is especially concerning for older adults or people with balance issues. 

Pain and pressure points

Hammertoes can cause pressure points on the tops of your toes, leading to painful corns and calluses. If those pain and pressure points become severe, you might respond by altering your gait, thereby increasing stress on other parts of your foot and making you more susceptible to injuries like sprains and strains. 

Difficulty wearing supportive shoes

Finding comfortable, supportive footwear can be challenging with hammertoes. Improper footwear could make you more likely to sustain a foot and ankle injury. 

Increased risk of stress fractures

Hammertoes can change how you distribute weight across your foot, and they may put excessive pressure on certain areas, which can result in stress fracture. 

Impact on athletic performance

Our active patients find that hammertoes interfere with their training and performance. Hammertoes can make running, jumping, and quick movements more difficult, making sports injuries more likely. 

Reducing your risk of injury

If you have a hammertoe, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean you’re destined to sustain an injury. There are ways to minimize your risk and ensure your feet are healthy. 

To start, we recommend wearing the right shoes. Your shoes should have a wide toe box, adequate arch support, and low heels. Tight, pointy, or high-heeled shoes can worsen the condition. 

Protective padding and custom orthotics can also go a long way in providing support and reducing pressure points. 

It’s also a good idea to incorporate stretches and strength-building exercises into your daily routine to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Try toe stretches and picking up small objects with your toes — even massage therapy can help. 

Above all else, seek medical treatment at the first sign of a deformity. Dr. Geoghan can create a hammertoe treatment plan that works for you. In the most severe cases, she can discuss your surgical options. 

Don’t let a hammertoe stop you in your tracks. Contact Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, in Lutherville, Maryland, today to schedule an appointment with an experienced podiatrist.