Claw, Hammer & Mallet Toes Care | Align Custom Footcare

Claw, Hammer & Mallet Toes Care Mississauga

Restoring Natural Alignment

A 10,000-step day in Toronto shouldn't feel like a constant battle with your footwear. What starts as a small irritation in your favorite designer flats often turns into a persistent hammer toe that changes how you walk. At Align Custom Fit Footwear & Footcare, we treat toe deformities as biomechanical puzzles rather than permanent flaws. Our goal is to fix how your foot hits the ground so you can keep your style without the pain.

Correcting these small shifts early keeps your body moving the way it was meant to. We combine medical precision with high-end style to keep your foot health as sharp as your wardrobe.

What Is Hammer Toe?

Hammer toe occurs when a muscle imbalance puts too much pressure on your tendons and joints. This tension forces the toe to curl downward. This hammer toe deformity usually causes an abnormal bend in the middle joint of your second, third, or fourth toes.

While the affected toe starts out flexible enough to move manually, it eventually gets stuck in a rigid, bent position. Without early treatment, the toe joint becomes noticeably stiff, creating a permanent noticeable curl that points the toe toward the floor.

Understanding Hammer Toe Symptoms

The shift in your toe alignment usually shows up as physical cues that ruin your comfort. Spotting hammer toe symptoms early helps you manage symptoms before they need more invasive work.

Visible Joint Contracture

The most obvious sign is a toe that stays bent at the middle. It forms an upside-down "V" shape where the toe curls toward the ground.

Corns and Calluses

Friction between the raised middle joint and your shoes causes painful corns or thickened skin. This typically happens when wearing shoes that don't have a deep toe box.

Redness and Inflammation

Pressure points at the tip of the toe or the middle joint can get red and sensitive. You might feel foot pain that gets worse when wearing ill-fitting shoes or high-heeled shoes that crowd the other toes.

Why the Toes Bend: Causes and Risk Factors

Your anatomy and your shoes both dictate how your toe muscles and foot muscles behave.

Biomechanical Imbalance

If you have flat feet or high arches, your foot muscles have to work harder to keep you steady. This extra work can pull the toe into a curled position.

Footwear Choice

Wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially narrow shoes, is a major risk factor. When you wear high heels, your foot slides forward into a tight toe box that doesn't fit your foot's natural shape.

Secondary Foot Deformities

Other foot problems, like a bunion, can push the big toe out of place. This crowds the second toe and forces it into a bent position.

Professional Hammer Toe Treatment in Toronto

In Toronto and Mississauga, we focus on fixing function without surgery. Every treatment plan starts with a Body Align Assessment on our slow-motion catwalk to find the exact muscle imbalance causing the hammer toe.

We use custom orthotics, specifically Align Orthotics™, which are 3D-scanned to provide good arch support and relieve pressure. When paired with fitting shoes that have enough room, these insoles help the foot return to a natural position.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

Your visit starts with a 55-minute deep dive into how you move. You'll walk across our Align Catwalk so our chiropodists can see the muscle imbalance affecting your toe joint in slow motion.

To prepare, please bring the shoes you wear most often. We’ll look at your wardrobe to see which shoes are hurting your toe alignment. It also helps to have a quick summary of your foot pain and any toe exercises or over-the-counter pads you’ve tried.

The Benefits of Proper Alignment

Treating your hammer toe at Align comes with several perks:

Zero Downtime: Our non-surgical hammer toe treatment lets you get back to your life immediately.
Pain Relief: Custom orthotics shift weight away from the middle joint to reduce pain.
Better Style: We make medical solutions that fit into high heels and designer flats.
Future-Proofing: Early treatment helps prevent hammer toes from getting so stiff that they require surgery.

Who Should Book an Appointment?

You should seek help if you notice a noticeable curl or have constant foot pain. If your hammer toe is still flexible, toe stretches and custom orthotics can help straighten the toe. If the toe joint is already noticeably stiff, we'll check if you need more advanced clinical care.

Expected Results

Most people feel less foot pain and friction as soon as they get into the right shoes with custom orthotics. While we can't always undo bone changes without surgery, we can manage symptoms and stop the hammer toe deformity from getting worse. We suggest a check-up every 12 months to make sure your toe muscles are supported.

Recovery and Daily Care

Since our hammer toe treatment is non-surgical, there is no downtime. You’re event-ready the moment you leave. Your clinician might give you toe exercises like towel curls or gently stretching the toes in the opposite direction. We also suggest wearing shoes with low heels and flexible materials while you get used to your custom orthotics.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

Every treatment plan is customized to you. Costs can vary based on the materials used for your custom orthotics and how complex the correction is. Our pricing covers the 3D laser scanning and time with our licensed chiropodists. Many patients find that their hammer toe treatment is covered by insurance. We also offer financing through partners like CareCredit or Cherry to make sure you can get the right shoes and care when you need them.

Why Choose Align Custom Fit?

Align has been voted the best foot clinic for over a decade. We look at your whole body's alignment, not just the affected toe. Led by Darius Dinshaw, our team combines medical chiropodist expertise with high-end style. We find shoes from designers like Michael Kors and Ted Baker that offer a deep toe box and good arch support, so you don't have to choose between health and fashion.

Hammer Toe Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hammer toe to develop?

A hammer toe occurs when toe muscles get out of balance, often due to flat feet or wearing ill-fitting shoes.

Can hammer toe be reversed without surgery?

If it's still flexible, gently stretching and using custom orthotics can relieve pressure. Once it's noticeably stiff, surgery might be needed.

How is hammer toe different from a mallet toe or claw toe?

A hammer toe is bent at the middle joint. A mallet toe has an abnormal bend at the joint nearest the nail, and a claw toe involves multiple joints.

Will orthotics help with hammer toe pain?

Yes. Custom orthotics support your foot muscles and provide good arch support, helping the toes stay straight.

When is surgery considered for hammer toe?

Surgery is usually the last resort for foot deformities that are stiff, cause intense foot pain, and don't get better with a wide toe box or custom orthotics.

Get Started Today

Move Better Aligned With Healthier Feet

Ready to check 'healthy feet' off your self-care list? Book your appointment today by using the link below. It's never too early or too late to start. We look forward to helping you find beauty and balance through better foot health. Improve the way you move.

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