When To Call A Professional

Make an appointment with a health care professional if you experience pain in your toes or feet that lasts longer than several days. If one or more of your toes begins curling, see your doctor or a podiatrist (foot doctor) to discuss early treatment to avoid hammertoe. If you already have hammertoe and find it bothersome, call a health care professional for an evaluation.

If you have diabetes and experience any toe or foot pain or toe problems, including hammertoe or corns, see a physician promptly to avoid potential infection or skin complications.

Prognosis

Hammertoe is often a harmless and painless condition. Although the toe may be curled permanently, hammertoe should not cause any long-term problems other than a more difficult time finding shoes that fit. If hammertoe is treated and preventive measures are followed, the condition should not return. Wearing tight or constricting shoes can cause hammertoe to return.

Additional Info

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 6300 North River Rd. Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 Phone: (847) 823-7186 Toll-Free: (800) 346-2267 Fax: (847) 823-8125 http://www.aaos.org/

American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) 9312 Old Georgetown Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814-1698 Phone: (301) 571-9200 Toll-Free: (800) 275-2762 Fax: (301) 530-2752 http://www.apma.org/

American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society 2517 Eastlake Ave. E Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: (206) 223-1120 Fax: (206) 223-1178 http://www.footdocs.org/