Hammertoes

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Painful corns or bent toes in shoes? We offer conservative care and minimally invasive hammertoe correction when needed. Same-week evaluation in San Mateo.

A hammertoe is a toe that bends abnormally—most often at the middle joint—so the tip points down. Shoes then rub on the top or tip of the toe, causing pain, corns, and calluses. Early deformities are often flexible; long-standing deformities can become rigid.

Common symptoms

• Pain or rubbing on the top or tip of the toe
• Corns/calluses that keep returning
• Toe irritation in tighter shoes
• Feeling of “crowding,” sometimes with bunions
• Ball-of-foot pain if the toe no longer bears weight normally

Why it happens (risk factors)

• Shoe pressure (narrow or shallow toe boxes)
• Imbalance of toe tendons or long toe length
• Bunions pushing smaller toes out of line
• Flatfoot or high arches changing forefoot load
• Prior injury, arthritis, or tight calf

We start with a focused history and exam, checking flexibility vs. rigidity and any associated problems (bunion, neuroma, plantar plate issues). Weight-bearing X-rays help confirm alignment and guide treatment—especially if surgery is considered.

Many patients improve comfort without surgery, especially in flexible stages.

Footwear & pads

• Wider, deeper toe boxes; soft uppers to reduce rubbing
• Silicone toe caps/gel sleeves and crest pads to protect pressure points
• Corn/callus care in-clinic (avoid bathroom “self-surgery” or acids)

Support & mechanics

• Custom orthotics (often with metatarsal support) to redistribute pressure
• Calf stretching and targeted foot strengthening
• Taping or soft splints to reduce irritation (won’t permanently “straighten” but can help comfort)

We’ll tailor a plan around your shoes, activities, and goals.

If pain persists in proper shoes with pads/orthotics—or the toe is fixed and keeps ulcerating—surgery can restore alignment and shoe comfort.

Procedures we consider (chosen to match your toe and activity):

• Minimally invasive hammertoe correction (small incisions to realign the joint, often with a brief pin or low-profile implant)
• PIP joint arthroplasty/arthrodesis to straighten a rigid toe
• Tendon balancing (e.g., flexor transfer) for flexible deformities
• Addressing contributing problems when needed: bunion correction, plantar plate repair, or metatarsal osteotomy to reduce forefoot overload

We’ll review benefits, risks, anesthesia options, and recovery so you can make an informed decision.

1. Evaluation: Exam, footwear review, and weight-bearing X-rays as needed.
2. Plan: Clear conservative steps (shoes, pads, orthotics, care for corns). If appropriate, surgical options with timelines.
3. Follow-up: Check comfort and shoe fit; postop patients receive a week-by-week recovery guide.

Typical recovery after surgery: Many patients weight-bear in a protective shoe right away, transition to roomier sneakers in 3–6 weeks, and resume most activities over 6–10 weeks, depending on the procedure.

• Spreading redness, drainage, or fever from a sore/corn
• Diabetes or poor circulation with any skin breakdown
• Sudden severe pain, discoloration, or trauma to the toe

• Board-certified care led by Hannah Lee, DPM
• Emphasis on conservative relief first (shoe strategy, pads, orthotics)
• Minimally invasive and reconstructive options tailored to your goals
• Practical guidance so your toes feel better in real shoes

Will splints or stretching straighten my toe permanently?
Splints can improve comfort and shoe fit, but fixed deformities usually require a procedure to permanently straighten.

Do corns go away if I just remove them?
They come back if the pressure remains. We relieve the corn and fix the underlying cause (shoes, pads, orthotics—and surgery only when needed).

How long until I’m back in regular shoes after surgery?
Often 3–6 weeks for roomy sneakers; dress/work shoes may take longer. We’ll give you a detailed timeline for your procedure.

Can hammertoes return?
Good shoe choices, orthotics when indicated, and addressing contributing issues (like bunions) lower recurrence risk.

Let’s create a plan that makes shoes comfortable again.