Hammer Toe Prevention Tips: 5 Ways to Keep It at Bay

Hammer toe can be a very aggravating condition to deal with, so it’s best to avoid it if possible. Here are some hammer toe prevention tips.

Hammer toe is a painful foot condition where one of your smaller toes—often the second one—curls downward at the center joint. This deformity may be mild at first, but over time, you can lose flexibility and require surgical treatment.

While hammer toe is always uncomfortable, it’s especially troublesome for those with diabetes. Curled toes are more likely to rub on shoes, leading to the formation of

The good news about hammer toe deformities is that they’re often preventable. If you want to avoid curled toes and diabetes wounds, read on for five hammer toe prevention tips that can keep your feet healthy and pain-free.

1. Change Your Shoes

Shoes that are too short, tight, or narrow are the leading cause of hammer toes. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you’ll need to be even more careful to find shoes that fit well.

Getting a professional shoe fitting done at a specialty store is the best course of action. Otherwise, be sure to always fit your shoes to the larger foot, leave plenty of toe room, and avoid shoes with pointed toes—especially high heels. You may also want to invest in custom orthotic inserts to make sure your feet have enough support.

2. Stretch and Exercise Often

Aside from poor-fitting shoes, muscle imbalances and tightness are two leading causes of hammer toe.

You can stretch out tight ligaments and tendons by lifting your toes off the ground while standing and holding them up for 5-10 seconds. You can also try to repeatedly scrunch up a towel or pick up a marble with your toes to strengthen the muscles. This is easier to do while barefoot, so pay close attention to what you’re doing to avoid injury.

3. Improve Your Foot Circulation

Keeping your feet limber is much easier when you have healthy circulation. Warm foot baths with Epsom salts are one great way to improve blood flow. You can also try standing up often instead of sitting still and massaging your feet each day.

4. Keep Other Chronic Conditions in Check

Managing your health as a whole is one of the best ways to avoid hammer toe and its associated complications. If you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or another chronic condition that leads to foot deformities, make sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Also, address other foot conditions like bunions and corns as soon as they appear.

5. Ask Your Doctor About Hammer Toe Splints

If you have problems with a recurring hammer toe despite following the other tips on this list, your doctor may advise you to wear a splint. These small fabric braces wrap around one or more toes to hold them in an outstretched position. Wearing a splint isn’t the best option for everyone, so always check with your doctor before buying or wearing any type of medical device.

Hammer Toe Prevention Is the Best Treatment

The best way to treat hammer toe, especially if you’re diabetic, is to avoid getting it in the first place. Following these hammer toe prevention strategies can help you keep your feet healthy and free of deformities for years to come.

If you’re already dealing with hammer toe or another foot condition, the experienced doctors at Foot and Ankle Physicians can help. We’ve been helping patients in Linden and Springfield, NJ with all their podiatry needs for over 20 years. Fill out our online request form to schedule your in-person or virtual appointment today.

For a consultation fill out our online form by clicking here? You can also call our office at 973-258-0111

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