A hammertoe might start off as a minor inconvenience—a little bend in your toe that doesn’t seem like a big deal. But over time, it can turn into a painful deformity that affects your balance, walking ability, and even your choice of footwear. At Bellagio Foot & Ankle, we help patients understand how hammertoes develop and what can be done to treat them before they become debilitating.

A hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe, where the joint in the middle of the toe becomes bent like a hammer. It can be caused by muscle imbalance, structural foot issues, ill-fitting shoes, or conditions like arthritis. At first, hammertoes are flexible—you can still straighten them. But if ignored, the joint can become rigid, leading to chronic pain and corns or calluses from constant shoe friction.

Symptoms include pain when wearing shoes, visible toe bending, swelling, redness, and difficulty walking. If left untreated, hammertoes can also lead to problems in other parts of the foot, since your body adjusts to compensate for the altered gait.

Treatment varies depending on severity. In early stages, non-surgical solutions like padding, orthotics, and toe splints can help realign the toe and relieve discomfort. Shoe choice also plays a key role—look for wide toe boxes and soft materials. If the deformity becomes fixed and painful, surgery may be recommended to realign the joint or remove a small portion of bone.

At Bellagio Foot & Ankle, we create personalized treatment plans based on your symptoms and lifestyle. Don’t let a hammertoe control how you walk, run, or live. Come see us for expert care and lasting relief.

Schedule a Consultation

Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment. We do our best to contact you within 24-48 hours. Thank you!


A hammertoe might start off as a minor inconvenience—a little bend in your toe that doesn’t seem like a big deal. But over time, it can turn into a painful deformity that affects your balance, walking ability, and even your choice of footwear. At Bellagio Foot & Ankle, we help patients understand how hammertoes develop and what can be done to treat them before they become debilitating.

A hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe, where the joint in the middle of the toe becomes bent like a hammer. It can be caused by muscle imbalance, structural foot issues, ill-fitting shoes, or conditions like arthritis. At first, hammertoes are flexible—you can still straighten them. But if ignored, the joint can become rigid, leading to chronic pain and corns or calluses from constant shoe friction.

Symptoms include pain when wearing shoes, visible toe bending, swelling, redness, and difficulty walking. If left untreated, hammertoes can also lead to problems in other parts of the foot, since your body adjusts to compensate for the altered gait.

Treatment varies depending on severity. In early stages, non-surgical solutions like padding, orthotics, and toe splints can help realign the toe and relieve discomfort. Shoe choice also plays a key role—look for wide toe boxes and soft materials. If the deformity becomes fixed and painful, surgery may be recommended to realign the joint or remove a small portion of bone.

At Bellagio Foot & Ankle, we create personalized treatment plans based on your symptoms and lifestyle. Don’t let a hammertoe control how you walk, run, or live. Come see us for expert care and lasting relief.

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Schedule a Consultation

Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment. We do our best to contact you within 24-48 hours. Thank you!


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