Hammertoe Treatment in Bellevue
A toe that bends and will not straighten is often a hammertoe. At CarePlus, Dr. Hubert Lee relieves the pain and slows the progression, starting with conservative care while the toe is still flexible.
At CarePlus Foot and Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, Washington, Dr. Hubert Lee diagnoses and treats hammertoes, a toe deformity that can cause rubbing, corns, and pain, especially in shoes. We offer same-day and urgent care appointments for new problems.
What is a hammertoe?
A hammertoe is a toe is bent rather than lying flat, most often the second through fourth toes. It develops when the muscles and tendons that control the toe fall out of balance, leaving the joint contracted in a bent position.
Early on the toe is usually still flexible, which is the best time to treat it. Left alone, the toe tends to stiffen and the bent joint rubs against your shoe, forming painful corns and calluses.
Signs of a hammertoe
A hammertoe usually announces itself through the toe’s shape and the rubbing it causes in shoes:
- A toe bent upward or downward at the joints
- Corns or calluses on top or bottom of the bent toe
- Pain or rubbing when wearing shoes
- Difficulty straightening the toe
- Pain in the ball of the foot beneath the toe
- A toe that is becoming stiffer over time
What raises your risk
Hammertoes usually come from pressure and imbalance acting on the toe over time. Common contributors include:
- Tight, narrow, or pointed shoes
- High heels that crowd the toes
- Muscle and tendon imbalance or foot structure
- Arthritis, prior toe injury, or bunions
Our approach at CarePlus
Dr. Lee treats hammertoes conservatively first, especially while the toe is still flexible. After checking whether the toe still moves, he eases pressure with roomier footwear, padding for corns, and custom orthotics, and uses toe exercises, stretching, or splinting to help keep a flexible toe from stiffening. For a rigid, painful hammertoe that no longer responds, he discusses surgical correction with you before any step is taken.
What to expect
A flexible hammertoe usually responds well to conservative care, which is why it is worth addressing before the joint stiffens. Roomier shoes and the right support often relieve the rubbing and pain that bring people in. If your foot mechanics are part of the picture, Dr. Lee can address that as well.
Why choose CarePlus for hammertoes
A hammertoe is easiest to manage before it becomes rigid, so an early, accurate assessment matters. Dr. Hubert Lee is a board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrist with more than 15 years of experience, and he treats hammertoes conservatively first, turning to correction only when it is truly needed. Patients across Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Sammamish, and the greater Seattle area come to CarePlus for that difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hammertoes
Why is my toe bending or curling under?
A toe that bends down at the joints and will not lie flat is usually a hammertoe, caused by an imbalance in the muscles and tendons that control it. It is easiest to treat while the toe is still flexible, so it is worth addressing before the joint stiffens.
Why do I keep getting corns on top of my toe?
Corns or calluses on top of a toe usually mean the toe is bent and rubbing against your shoe, which often points to a hammertoe. Treating the corn alone tends not to last, since the bent toe keeps causing the friction. Addressing the toe itself is what relieves it.
What causes hammertoes?
Tight or narrow shoes and high heels are common contributors, along with foot structure, muscle imbalance, arthritis, and previous toe injury. Hammertoes often appear alongside bunions and become more common with age.
Can hammertoes be fixed without surgery?
Often, while the toe is still flexible. Roomier footwear, padding, custom orthotics, and targeted exercises can relieve pain and slow the progression. Surgery is considered mainly for rigid, painful hammertoes that no longer respond to conservative care.
When should I see a podiatrist for a hammertoe?
See a podiatrist if the toe is painful, rubbing and forming corns, getting harder to straighten, or making shoes uncomfortable. Treating a hammertoe while it is still flexible gives you the most options and the best chance to avoid surgery.
How are hammertoes treated at CarePlus?
Dr. Lee starts with conservative care: footwear changes, padding for corns, custom orthotics, and toe exercises or splinting while the toe is flexible.
Treat a hammertoe early in Bellevue
The sooner a hammertoe is addressed, the more can be done without surgery. See Dr. Lee at CarePlus Foot and Ankle Specialists for an evaluation. Same-day and urgent appointments are available.