A hammertoe is a very common foot deformity. Not everyone requires surgery to manage it, however. Hammertoes are commonly seen in all podiatry offices. It often becomes painful and that’s why it’s best to control it at home so it does not get worse. Using tape on the hammertoe is one of the solutions that you can you. But if you don’t know how to fix hammertoe with tape read forward.
Cut a one and a half-inch tape. The wrapping will depend on which direction your toe is bending. Then place it on the top of your second toe and take it out from underneath your big toe and other small toes. Now pull the tape in such a way that will straighten your toe forward and join the two ends over your foot.
This topic is extremely crucial to know about because there are lots of other things that are also mandatory to learn about such as what are the other kinds of toe deformities, their possible treatment, how you can fix them without surgery, some beneficial exercises that you must do at home, and a lot of other this that you will find throughout the whole article that you must read.
How To Fix Hammertoe With Tape?
In this condition, one or two toes come up or even cross over another toe. Mostly, the second toe will cross over the big toe. To treat that when operating with a non-operative method of treating it you have to use tapping.
- Bring your foot up and put it onto something so you don’t have to bend much. Cut a long piece of half-inch tape and form it into a loop and it will go around the toe you see it’s on the base of the toe and then it loops to go around the toe
- At this point you want it to cross on the underneath side of the toe and then it comes around the base of the toe and then stick it to each end
- If you want this toe to separate from the big toe then take another piece and put it in between the toe and then pull the toe toward the outside and once again try to catch the tape s it holds its position.
What Are Hammertoes?
Clawed toes, crooked toes, and mallet toes are all names for the foot ailment called hammertoes. If you compare a normal foot with a hammertoe you’ll see a normal foot has straight flattened toes in comparison a hammertoe has toes that look pinched or crooked. Like bunions, hammertoes are unappealing and can cause tremendous discomfort.
Symptoms may include protruding toe, knuckles prone to corns or that rub in your shoes, a toe that’s crowded or bent, toes that don’t fall flat on the ground, a bunion that’s bending the second toe, and extra pain and pressure on the bottom of your toes or toe pads. If you have any or all of those symptoms then you most likely have a hammertoe.
What is Mallet Toe?
A Mallet toe is similar in appearance to the mallet finger. It causes flexion of the Distal Interphalangeal joint. A mallet toe describes a deformity of the end joint of the toe which if you imagine a toe having three separate bones and two joints. The end joint is the one at the very tip of the toe and the mallet toe is where that joint starts to flex or become stuck in a bent position.
A mallet toe can cause pressure both at the tip of the toe underneath and it can also cause pressure at the top of that toe where that bend occurs and can cause calluses as well as in some instances even ulcerations wear holes develop in the toe because of that pressure.
In addition, a mallet toe can cause pain in the joint where it has become deformed. If you have a mallet toe you can use different pads or callus removers to help prevent pressure problems, and spacers between toes, the tape can be occasionally effective in trying to realign the toe and then also creating room in your shoe so the toe does not have friction.
What Causes Hammertoes
As we all know that genetics can play a large role in whether you develop the ailment but there are also other causes. A few causes of hammertoe include
- Shoes that are too tight or too short can cause hammertoe
- Pointy high heels
- Flat feet or high arches that make your feet less stable
- Arthritis or injury to the foot that causes you to walk unnaturally
- Bunions that force your second toe out of place
Hammertoe Exercises
When it comes to fixing hammertoe without any surgery stretches and exercises are very important. It will help you fix your hammertoe naturally and in a pain-free way. So if you want to learn about the hammertoe exercises we’ve mentioned the 5 best ones for you down below:
| 1 | Put your thumb under your feet and grab all your toes with the rest of your fingers and stretch them. When you do that you should be able to see your knuckles. Repeat this exercise and hold the toes for 30 to 40 seconds throughout the day, because you have to do it a lot. You can also do it on the floor by bending the toes downwards |
| 2 | If your tendons are bound down then take a soft spiky ball, push it down on the skin and twist rotate all the way. You can do it under the toes because it’s right there. |
| 3 | Bend the toes down and then you bend the ankle down too. It will stretch your tendons |
| 4 | When you get out of a chair you want to focus on actually pushing the toes down into the floor. Kind of digging your toes onto the floor |
| 5 | Rotate your foot all the way around clockwise and later counterclockwise. Do this for 20 to 30 seconds throughout the day |
Claw Toe Vs Hammertoe
| A hammertoe starts bending upwards and sideways | Claw toe bends downwards which looks like a claw |
| Hammertoe usually happens in the second or third toe | Claw toe can occur in any or all of the toes |
| Treating hammertoe is easier at home | It can be difficult to treat at home as multiple toes get affected |
| Only the middle joint of your toe gets affected | All the three joints will be affected |
How To Fix Hammertoe At Home | Simple 6 Ways
Hammertoe cannot be fixed permanently without surgery but you can control it from getting worse by taking some precautions. Such as
- Use the taping method to prevent the toe from bending further
- Use corn pads underneath your affected toe
- Use roomy boxy shoes
- Do regular toe stretching and flexing exercises
- Use toe caps to protect your foot toes all the time
- Use supportive pads inside your shoes
How To Straighten Big Toe With Tape
To protect the big toe you’ll need a wider tape. Now put the tape around the toe pad by pressing underneath tightly. Do this couple of times so your footpad is compressed and secured. Gradually go towards the toes while wrapping the tape.
Now take a small piece of tape and wrap it around the big toe. Now use smaller pieces and attach them to the previous one at different angles. Some tape angle tapes should be placed on the sides of your foot and some on the top, and some on the bottom. So your toe is secured from all the angles and won’t bend. Wrap the tape one final time to secure all the smaller tape joints.
How To Straighten Toes Permanently
Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution for hammertoe without any surgery. You will require surgery that will fix your toe deforming and put it in place. In this surgery what happens is:
- The surgery begins by making a linear incision over the PIP joint. A saw is used to respect the head of the proximal failings. It is important to also resect the base of the middle phalanx down to the subchondral bone to ensure adequate engagement of the screw
- A guidewire is used to manually find the central canal in the proximal and middle phalanx using a drill driver tool. The proximal phalanx is drilled to the first laser line
- Then drill through the middle and distal phalanx and at the end of the toe leaving the driver portion in the PIP joint
- Using the extra driver in the kit, the screw is inserted into the proximal phalanx until the distal threads touch the bone. The driver end of the tools is then used to engage the head of the screw
- The screw is then turned counterclockwise into the middle phalanx until ⅔ of the distal threads are engaged. Then they turn the screw clockwise to compress the joint
- The threads on the screw will join to come together for optimal reduction. The driver is then released and the incision is sealed and a compressive dressing is used
How To Wrap Hammertoe
There are different ways to wrap your hammertoe and many products that also do the same thing. If you want you can wrap the toe with tape or you can use 3pp toe loops or pads or hammertoe straighteners, etc.
3PP Toe Loops
Open the loop section and remove the paper. Slip the loop on the affected toe, and wrap the strap around the toe next to it.
Hammertoe Straightener
Insert the footpad part into your foot and then use the straps to bend your toe downwards and strap it underneath the padding support.
Tape
Use any kind of tape; surgical or athletic for this. Cut a half-inch piece. Place it around the second toe and use your thumb to push down the nickel so it’s straight. Then and you lay the sides onto the footpads like a ribbon. Take another piece of tape to wrap it around the previous one’s end parts so it does not move.
Conclusion
Those who are going through the condition of hammertoe only know its severity and the pain they have to deal with whenever walking. So it is very necessary to educate yourself about this kind of deformity before it happens cause it does not happen in one day. Also if you are currently going through this you must know how to fix hammertoe with tape and other processes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Reverse A Hammertoe?
You can not fully reverse the hammertoe without any surgery but you can control or slow down the bending condition so it does not get severe. Constant exercises and treatment are a necessity and also padding must be used while walking with shoes. Make sure you are wearing flat and roomy shoes.
Can I Fix My Hammer Toe At Home?
Fixing a hammertoe permanently without any surgery is not possible; you can only slow down the process with constant treatments, paddings, and exercises. If your condition is not that serious then follow different kinds of stretches and exercises to practice at home. It will at least help you ease your pain and mobility issues and somewhat position your toe in place but not completely. But remember, you have to be mentally prepared to endure this long-term process.
How Can I Straighten My Hammertoes Without Surgery?
To improve your hammertoes without surgery you can get a shoe that has a little more depth to it. Regular flexion exercises are also mandatory that you can search online to try at home. Another option that doctors recommend is an orthotic with a metatarsal pad. So, take your metatarsal pad and place it just behind the second, third, and fourth metatarsals.
When you walk with the pad this will put pressure which will bend and stretch your toe to the front. It will help re-establish this transverse metatarsal arch. This will also help with your pain management.
Is Hammer Toe Surgery Worth It?
Although conservative care may involve shoe modifications, padding, strapping, and custom orthoses, surgical reconstruction may be required to alleviate pain and immobilize hammertoe conditions.
This surgical management of the hammertoe deformity is performed by variable means of sequential reduction. By this, a hammertoe contracture is alleviated through various procedures to re-establish a functional position during active motion as well as rest. For extreme di formative conditions and pain, this is the best solution to resolve your mobility issue.
What Is The Main Cause Of Hammertoes?
Deformities of the toes are not uncommon. They can occur from muscle inequality or other causes such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, compartment syndrome, synovitis, or neurological disorder. Wearing too tight or too narrow heels may also cause this problem.
What Are The Non-surgical Treatments For Hammertoe?
Treating non-surgical hammertoe requires regular and constant exercises that you can do at home. Also, make room by simply wearing roomy shoes with a wider toe box. This way you can accommodate the existing hammertoe and prevent others from developing. You can use the cushioning system.
If you already have a hammertoe use corn pads or cushions to help reduce rubbing and irritation on top of the bent toes or the bottom of the toe pads. Add supportive shoe inserts and orthotics to help foot muscles work together better and keep toes from bending. Another subsidiary solution is to straighten out by keeping toes naturally positioned. Try toe straightening tapes, toe caps, and toe loops.
What Does A Hammertoe Look Like?
The condition can occur on any toe, but the second and third ones are the most susceptible to it. The toe has two joints at the middle and bottom that allow it to flex. A hammertoe forms when the middle toe joint is stretched or if it bends downwards.
When a hammertoe occurs a toe will bend inward towards the bottom of your foot. Calluses, corns, claw-like toes, difficulty in walking, and an inability to flex or move the toes.
Do Hammertoes Go Away?
Once hammertoe occurs it does not go away by itself and eventually gets worse if not treated properly. It takes a long time, probably many years, and effort to fix hammertoes. Though the toe might not get fully normal you can place it in a position by doing regular exercises and using pads underneath. This will help you ease the pain and gradually place it in position.
Can Hammertoes Be Reversed?
Unfortunately, once you have hammertoe it will not reverse without surgery. But constant exercise and other precautions may slow down the bending process but will not resolve it completely. So if you have severe hammertoe you might need to get surgery to fix it eventually.