High Arch Hammertoes: What to Know

With a high arch, load may move towards the ball of the foot. The toes can grip the ground to help with balance, and over time a toe may remain bent at one or more joints. A flexible toe may straighten when relaxed, while a stiff toe needs a different assessment. [Hammer Toe](/conditions/hammer-toe/) is a condition with several contributing factors, so high arches are not the only possible explanation. Pain may be felt in the toe or elsewhere in the foot.

Wear shoes with a wide, deep toe box and avoid seams that press on the bent joint. Soft protective padding may reduce friction, but it should not make the shoe tighter. Do not cut corns yourself. A clinician can assess flexibility, footwear, calluses, and the pressure under the forefoot. [Custom Orthotics](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/custom-orthotics/) may redistribute load when appropriate. If the toe becomes fixed or pain continues despite these measures, [Hammer Toe Surgery](/treatments/reconstructive-orthopedic-surgery/hammer-toe-surgery/) can be discussed.

Seek assessment for a toe that is becoming less flexible, recurrent corns, skin breakdown, increasing [Toe Pain](/symptoms/toe-pain/), or difficulty wearing ordinary shoes. Prompt care is needed for a spreading red wound, sudden severe swelling, fever with a foot wound, or inability to bear weight.

Ask whether the toe is flexible, what is causing the pressure, and which shoe changes or pads are safe. Ask how to protect the skin, whether an orthotic could help, and what findings would make surgery worth considering.