What is a hammer toe and what causes it?

A hammer toe is a deformity where the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, creating an upward arc. It is caused by muscle imbalance, often from poorly fitting shoes, high arches, or neurological conditions. Over time, the deformity becomes rigid. Balance Foot & Ankle diagnoses and treats hammer toes at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Call (810) 206-1402.

How are hammer toes fixed without surgery?

Flexible hammer toes can often be managed with toe splints, metatarsal pads, shoe stretching, custom orthotics to correct underlying imbalance, and physical therapy exercises to maintain flexibility. These measures relieve pain and slow progression. Balance Foot & Ankle at 4330 E Grand River, Howell and 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills provides conservative hammer toe treatment.

When is surgery needed for hammer toes?

Surgery is needed when hammer toes become rigid (fixed deformity), cause severe pain, develop open sores, or prevent wearing shoes. Procedures range from simple tendon releases to joint resection or fusion. Balance Foot & Ankle's podiatric surgeons perform minimally invasive hammer toe corrections with excellent outcomes.

Can hammer toes come back after surgery?

Recurrence is possible, especially if underlying biomechanical causes (like flat feet or muscle imbalance) are not addressed. Balance Foot & Ankle addresses the root cause with custom orthotics alongside surgical correction to minimize recurrence risk and achieve lasting results.

What types of shoes should I wear with hammer toes?

Shoes with a deep, wide toe box that does not press on the bent joint are essential. Avoid pointed toe shoes, high heels, and shoes with a shallow toe box. Extra-depth shoes accommodate toe deformities comfortably. Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 provides specific footwear recommendations for patients with hammer toes in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy

Quick Answer

What is Hammer Toe? [How to Fix Hammer Toes & Hammer To relates to toe deformity — typically caused by imbalanced muscles + footwear. Most patients improve in depends on severity with conservative care. Same-week appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Twp: (810) 206-1402.

Play video — Watch: Dr. Tom Biernacki explains the topic in detail · Subscribe to Michigan Foot Doctors on YouTube

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

What is Hammer Toe? [How to Fix Hammer Toes & Hammer Toe Treatment]

What is Hammer Toe? [How to Fix Hammer Toes & Hammer Toe Treatment] 🦶 We review: what is a hammer toe deformity? Claw toe? Mallet toe? Types of crooked toes and how to fix them. 🦶 Full Video: https://youtu.be/pA4dicQIzLY Ball of the Foot (Metatarsalgia): Hammer Toes Treatment: https://youtu.be/pA4dicQIzLY 2nd Toe Capsulitis, Claw Toe & Hammer Toe: https://youtu.be/E2Pr3vocIB8 Ball of the Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia): https://youtu.be/tqOzHZ8rUqs Big Toe Joint Pain Causes & Treatment: Gout: https://youtu.be/APtHQYtditY Hallux Rigidus (OsteoArthritis): https://youtu.be/x6rtE5wfhf0 Bunion Pain: https://youtu.be/Nfif1nEiNJk More Bunion Videos: How To Get Rid of Bunions Without Surgery: https://youtu.be/Nfif1nEiNJk Top 13 Ways to Shrink Bunions Naturally: https://youtu.be/8yKY4Rf-OGk Bunion Surgery Pros & Cons: https://youtu.be/xanqYxYnWJE 👉 Orthotics 👈 Best Overall Orthotic: https://geni.us/PowerStepOrthotics (Amazon) Best Heavy Duty Orthotic: https://geni.us/HeavyDutyOrthotics (Amazon) Best Women’s Orthotic: https://geni.us/BestWomensOrthotic (Amazon) Pain Relief: Best Compression Sleeves: https://geni.us/PlantarFasciitisSock (Amazon) Best Budget Compression Ankle Brace: https://geni.us/AnkleCompression (Amazon) Best Muscle Massage Stick: https://geni.us/MuscleStick (Amazon) Exercises & Stretches: Best Ankle Stretch Incline Board: https://geni.us/z7bq (Amazon) Best Budget Stretching Device: https://geni.us/BudgetFasciitisStretch (Amazon) Compression Socks & Stockings: Best 8-15 mmHg budget compression stockings: https://geni.us/NmvRw Best 20-30 mmHg compression stocking: https://geni.us/bqasGh (Amazon) Massage Gun: Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun: https://geni.us/ouFhWtI (10% OFF Code: BOBANDBRADD6) Bob and Brad C2 Massage Gun: https://geni.us/BFKF 👉 Shoes 👈 Best Shoes: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/podiatrist-recommended-shoes/ Best Orthotics: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/podiatrist-recommended-orthotics/ Best Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/recommended-foot-doctor-products/ 🦶 Come see us in Howell/Livingston County and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 🦶

Balance Foot & Ankle Podiatrists 2026 | Howell & Bloomfield Hills

https://g.page/r/CaxJ9b-O6o27EAE DISCLAIMER: Dr. Tomasz Biernacki received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine in 2013. He completed his Surgical Reconstructive Foot Surgery & Podiatric Medicine Residency in 2017 and 2 Fellowships in Diabetic Surgery, Skin Grafting & Nerve Surgery. He is double board certified in Podiatric Medicine and in Foot & Ankle Surgery. This video is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

⚠️ When to See a Podiatrist for Hammer Toes

Don’t wait for hammer toes to become rigid and painful. See a podiatrist if you notice:

Toes that are visibly curling or crossing over adjacent toes
Corns or calluses developing on the tops of bent toes from shoe friction
Pain in the ball of the foot when walking
Toes that you cannot straighten even when not wearing shoes
Shoes that are increasingly difficult to fit comfortably
You have diabetes — hammer toes can lead to serious wounds if untreated

Book your hammer toe evaluation at Balance Foot & Ankle →

Podiatrist-Recommended Products for Hammer Toes

These products can relieve hammer toe pain and slow progression:

Hammer Toes Getting Worse? Act Before They Become Rigid.

Flexible hammer toes respond well to conservative treatment — orthotics, padding, and exercises. Rigid hammer toes often require surgery. Our board-certified podiatrists can evaluate your specific toe deformity and develop a plan to prevent progression.

Book Your Appointment →

Or call us at (810) 206-1402

Written by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Physician & Foot Surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle, serving Howell, Bloomfield Hills, and southeastern Michigan.

At Balance Foot & Ankle, every Michigan patient receives expert podiatric care delivered with genuine attention to their individual needs and goals. Our podiatrists take time to explain diagnoses clearly, discuss all treatment options honestly, and follow up to ensure treatments are working effectively. We serve patients from Livingston and Oakland counties and the broader Southeast Michigan region from our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208. New patients are always welcome — call (810) 206-1402 to schedule today.

Related Treatment Guides

Michigan patients can count on Balance Foot & Ankle for the full range of podiatric services delivered with clinical excellence and genuine patient care. Whether your concern is a common foot condition that has been bothering you for years or an acute injury that needs prompt attention, our team in Howell and Bloomfield Hills is ready to help. We offer in-office diagnostics, evidence-based conservative treatment, and surgical correction when needed — all within a practice that values your time, respects your preferences, and communicates clearly throughout the care process. Call us at (810) 206-1402 to take the first step toward better foot health.

Insurance Accepted

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Howell Office

3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140

Howell, MI 48843

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Bloomfield Hills Office

43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?

Same-week appointments available at both locations.

Book Your Appointment

(810) 206-1402

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.

Medical References

Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
Heel Pain (APMA)

This article has been reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM. References are provided for informational purposes.

Quick Answer

What is Hammer Toe? [How to Fix Hammer Toes & Hammer Toe Treatment]

⚠️ When to See a Podiatrist for Hammer Toes

Podiatrist-Recommended Products for Hammer Toes

Hammer Toes Getting Worse? Act Before They Become Rigid.

Related Articles

Related Treatment Guides

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Our Podiatry Services Locations in Michigan

Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell, MI

Balance Foot & Ankle, Bloomfield, MI