When to Worry About Foot Pain With Hammer Toe

A hammer toe bends at one or more joints, creating pressure against the top of a shoe or beneath the toe. Corns, calluses, tenderness, and aching after walking may develop where pressure is concentrated. Foot Pain may also come from the ball of the foot as weight shifts away from the affected toe. A toe becoming harder to straighten, especially if previously flexible, is worth discussing at a routine appointment.

Wear shoes with a roomy toe area and enough length; avoid pointed footwear and tight straps. Padding can protect a pressure spot, but should not make the shoe crowded. Reduce activities that rub the toe and inspect the skin after walking. Do not cut a corn yourself or force the toe into a painful position. Seek advice if footwear changes do not let you walk comfortably or the toe continues to stiffen.

Seek prompt medical advice for an open sore, spreading redness, warmth, drainage, sudden swelling, or severe pain. Seek urgent help if the toe becomes blue, cold, or numb, if you cannot bear weight, or if an injury leaves it visibly displaced. Get urgent help if you cannot bear weight, the foot looks misshapen, or becomes unusually cold or pale. People with diabetes, reduced sensation, or circulation problems should seek advice early for a new foot wound or persistent pain.

Is the toe still flexible, and does that change treatment options? What footwear, padding, or exercises are appropriate? How should I protect a corn or callus?