Differences between hammer toes and claw toes

• Hammer toe and claw toe are very common problems in the population.
• Hammer toe and claw toe can make it very difficult for the sufferer to walk.
• Surgical interventions for hammer toe and claw toe are usually uncomplicated, but require a lot of rest afterwards.

The hammertoe condition involves a long-lasting bending of the joint at the end of the toes, whereas in the case of claw toe, what occurs is that an overloaded joint impinges on the joints in the middle and at the end of the toes.

When suffering from hammertoe, one toe (it can also occur in several toes) is permanently bent downwards.

Causes of hammertoe

The most common cause is wearing very narrow shoes that squeeze the foot too tightly and force the toe into this position, as over time the muscles and tendons shorten and adopt this position permanently.

It can also be caused by some kind of muscle imbalance or arthritis, including excessive wearing of high heels. Occasionally, hammertoe may be present at birth, but it is usually a condition that develops over the years.

Symptoms of hammertoe

Callus formation is common in areas where the deformed toe rubs against footwear incorrectly.

When the hammertoe is not advanced, the toe can be moved, stretched and flexed, but over time this mobility is lost and pain occurs when trying to perform these movements, even when walking.

Claw toe is a deformity of the toes. It consists of excessive bending of the toe (or toes) at the toe joints.

Causes of claw toe

The cause of claw toe is usually some kind of muscle and/or tendon imbalance that results in excessive bending of the toes.

Another possible cause of claw toe can be some kind of previous trauma, which ends up triggering this pathology.

Sometimes, claw toes are hereditary.

Symptoms of claw toes

The most common symptoms of claw toes are pain, irritation of the area when wearing shoes or walking for long periods of time, the appearance of corns and calluses and the presence of hard skin.

The problem of claw toes is often aggravated by wearing shoes that squeeze the foot excessively or shoes that are shaped differently from the anatomical shape of the foot.

To prevent these pathologies, both hammertoe and claw toe, it is effective to carry out a series of care and recommendations.

We recommend the use of footwear that is not too short or too narrow, especially in children, and it is necessary to frequently check that the shoes they wear are not too small, as they are in a stage of growth.

Another recommendation is not to overdo it with high heels and flip flop sandals (also known as flip flops).

When hammertoe is not too advanced, especially in children, it can be treated by placing a splint or straightener on the toe.

It is also possible to perform a series of exercises to gently stretch the toe, as long as the toe is not already in an irreversible position. 

A simple and quite useful exercise is to pick up cloths with the feet, so that the toe muscles are worked.

Wearing comfortable shoes and having a pedicure can also have a very favourable influence on stopping the progression of these two pathologies.

If the hammertoe or claw toe is very advanced, a surgical operation will be necessary to put it back into place and shape. The operation involves cutting or moving tendons and ligaments.

There are several alternative interventions to solve this problem. The decision as to which one to do is entirely up to the orthopaedic surgeon, as each patient's case is different from that of other patients.

Before the operation, it is likely that you will be forbidden to eat and drink for 12 hours prior to surgery.

Surgical osteosynthesis materials may be inserted after surgery to hold the toe bones in place until healing occurs. Once the wound heals, they will be removed.

Recovery is quick and most patients return home the same day of surgery or the day after. Rest and moderate movement are recommended 10 days after surgery.

There are very few risks in hammer toe and claw toe surgery and postoperative complications are rare.

Although rare, it is important to mention that it is possible that the toe may become misaligned after the operation, that nerves may be damaged or that the toe bones may become infected.

In any case, it is advisable to see a doctor if you suffer excessive discomfort after surgery or if you suspect that recovery is not proceeding as it should.