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Thursday, November 26, 2009
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Hammertoe

Diagnosis & Expected Duration

Monday, Aug. 27, 2007; 7:45 PM

Copyright Harvard Health Publications 2007

Diagnosis

Table of Contents

Most health care professionals can diagnose hammertoe simply by examining your toes and feet. X-rays of the feet are not needed to diagnose hammertoe, but they may be useful to look for signs of some types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or other disorders that can cause hammertoe. If the deformed toe is very painful, your doctor may recommend that you have a fluid sample withdrawn from the joint with a needle so the fluid can be checked for signs of infection or gout (arthritis from crystal deposits).

Expected Duration

Unless treated, hammertoe is permanent.

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