Hammertoe Treatment in Las Vegas, Nevada

A toe that’s starting to bend and won’t straighten out is easy to ignore until shoes start to hurt and calluses form. At Eastern Podiatry, we treat hammertoes at every stage, and the earlier you come in, the simpler the fix.

What a hammertoe is

A hammertoe is a toe joint that becomes permanently bent upward. It can affect any toe except the big toe, and it usually begins as a small, flexible bend that stiffens and worsens over time. Hammertoes don’t correct themselves. Once the toe becomes rigid, surgery is typically the only way to straighten it, which is exactly why timing matters.

What’s behind it

Most hammertoes come from an imbalance between the muscles and tendons that control the toe; that imbalance destabilizes the joint and pulls the toe into a bent position. Injury and genetics can play a role too, and tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes accelerate the whole process.

Signs to watch for

• A toe that bends abnormally
• Pain in closed or tight shoes
• Corns and calluses on top of the toe, between toes, or under the foot
• Inflammation in the toe
• A burning sensation

In advanced cases, open sores that won’t heal can form on top of the toe — a red flag to be seen right away.

How we treat it

Caught early while the toe is still flexible, hammertoes respond well to conservative care: corn and callus pads, roomier footwear, custom orthotics to correct the imbalance, corticosteroid injections for pain and inflammation, splinting or strapping to reposition the toe, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. When a hammertoe has become rigid, Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Dafforn can surgically remove excess bone, realign the toe, and address related problems such as non-healing wounds in the same procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a hammertoe be fixed without surgery?

If it’s still flexible, yes. Orthotics, splinting, and footwear changes can manage it. Once it stiffens into a rigid position, surgery is usually needed to straighten it.

Do hammertoes get worse over time?

They tend to, which is why early evaluation gives you the most conservative options and the simplest correction.

Are hammertoes connected to bunions?

Often, yes. Both can stem from foot mechanics and tight shoes, and we frequently treat them together.

What shoes should I wear?

Shoes with a deep, roomy toe box. Avoid high heels and narrow, pointed styles that crowd and bend the toes.

Related Services

Bunions  |  Orthotics  |  Neuromas

Request an appointment.

Call Eastern Podiatry at (702) 434-2023 or request online. 3777 Pecos-McLeod Interconnect, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89121. Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM.