1. < Neuropathy

Clubbed or Hammer Toes

Posted by Debbie @dbeshears1, Jul 19, 2022

I’m wondering if anyone with PN has had problems with any toes kind of curling downward, as if heading toward hammer or clawed toes? My toes on one foot tend to be getting toward that direction and I can’t seem to get them to lay flat. I was in a wheelchair for 6 months, but that was about 6 yrs ago, and I’ve had PT for legs, and am up and about every day, getting a reasonable amount of steps with walker, and quite a few steps unassisted. My last neurologist just pointed out to his trainee “see, her toes are clubbing”. When I asked him, and later a podiatrist, what I can do to stop it from getting worse, neither had ideas, and once again I was told we just need to watch and see what happens. So I am asking this great group for thoughts and ideas to release the tightness or whatever leading to these toes? Any exercises, splints or creams? Thanks for any ideas or thoughts!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 19, 2022

Hi Debbie @dbeshears1 - Yup, I'm a poster boy for hammer toes. In fact when I was diagnosed with small fiber peripheral neuropathy, the neurologist giving me a physical exam asked if I minded if he took pictures of my feet. When I asked why, he said he was prepping a lecture or class and my feet were a perfect example of people with neuropathy who get hammer toes.

@jamieolson shared some suggestions you might find helpful in the following discussion:
-- Hammer toes: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hammer-toes/

I have thought about surgery since I think there is a simple fix to correct them but it really only bothers me when trying to trim my toenails 🙂 Hammer toe surgery: What to expect
— https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319577.php

My only suggestion which makes it a little better for my toes is wider more comfortable shoes.

REPLY
1 reply
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Debbie @dbeshears1 - Yup, I'm a poster boy for hammer toes. In fact when I..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Debbie @dbeshears1 - Yup, I'm a poster boy for hammer toes. In fact when I was diagnosed with small fiber peripheral neuropathy, the neurologist giving me a physical exam asked if I minded if he took pictures of my feet. When I asked why, he said he was prepping a lecture or class and my feet were a perfect example of people with neuropathy who get hammer toes.

@jamieolson shared some suggestions you might find helpful in the following discussion:
-- Hammer toes: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hammer-toes/

I have thought about surgery since I think there is a simple fix to correct them but it really only bothers me when trying to trim my toenails 🙂 Hammer toe surgery: What to expect
— https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319577.php

My only suggestion which makes it a little better for my toes is wider more comfortable shoes.

Jump to this post

Thanks John - some things seem uncomfortable sharing sometimes, but I’m finding that when I finally put it out there, you always make me realize I’m not alone, and that there’s great guidance out here!

REPLY
princessbunny | @princessbunny | Jul 20, 2022

I recently read about hammer toes. Now I know this is what I have on my left foot. I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Not diabetic. Symptoms began in December 1999. My problem has affected my ability to wear shoes. My feet are wider. The only shoe I can comfortably wear is fur-lined Crocs. My feet are sensitive. Fur lined helps a lot.

I am 71 years old. My thoughts were exactly what Debbie described in her search for relief. Taping two toes together is my thought. There must be something that will straighten out my middle three toes. My big toe and pinky toe are not affected. From what I read that is the definition of hammer toes.

I welcome any helpful ideas for help with my hammer toes!

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 20, 2022
In reply to @princessbunny "I recently read about hammer toes. Now I know this is what I have on my..." + (show)
@princessbunny

I recently read about hammer toes. Now I know this is what I have on my left foot. I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Not diabetic. Symptoms began in December 1999. My problem has affected my ability to wear shoes. My feet are wider. The only shoe I can comfortably wear is fur-lined Crocs. My feet are sensitive. Fur lined helps a lot.

I am 71 years old. My thoughts were exactly what Debbie described in her search for relief. Taping two toes together is my thought. There must be something that will straighten out my middle three toes. My big toe and pinky toe are not affected. From what I read that is the definition of hammer toes.

I welcome any helpful ideas for help with my hammer toes!

Jump to this post

Hi @princessbunny, One solution is to straighten the toes using surgery. I've thought about it but at 79, I'm not quite sure I want to do it.

-- Hammertoe Surgery: Everything You Need to Know:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-a-hammer-toe-1337808

REPLY
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 21, 2022
In reply to @princessbunny "I recently read about hammer toes. Now I know this is what I have on my..." + (show)
@princessbunny

I recently read about hammer toes. Now I know this is what I have on my left foot. I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Not diabetic. Symptoms began in December 1999. My problem has affected my ability to wear shoes. My feet are wider. The only shoe I can comfortably wear is fur-lined Crocs. My feet are sensitive. Fur lined helps a lot.

I am 71 years old. My thoughts were exactly what Debbie described in her search for relief. Taping two toes together is my thought. There must be something that will straighten out my middle three toes. My big toe and pinky toe are not affected. From what I read that is the definition of hammer toes.

I welcome any helpful ideas for help with my hammer toes!

Jump to this post

Thank you! It’s good to know I have a partner in thought, but don’t want to do anything that would push me into another issue. Exactly with you on wondering what taping toes together would do (and even making a splint with something like popsicle sticks or some brace to straighten them, similar to how braces straighten teeth) Things we understand we don’t try at home alone, but wish doctors had ideas for. Like you, it’s my middle 3 toes, left foot, though my feet are narrow and wide toed shoes tend to come in wide for the whole foot, and I can’t have that slipping and sliding. My PT and I tried to see what bands could do, obviously had to be thick office rubber bands since we’re talking tiny toe stretches, but we couldn’t get it just right.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 21, 2022
In reply to @dbeshears1 "Thank you! It’s good to know I have a partner in thought, but don’t want to..." + (show)
@dbeshears1

Thank you! It’s good to know I have a partner in thought, but don’t want to do anything that would push me into another issue. Exactly with you on wondering what taping toes together would do (and even making a splint with something like popsicle sticks or some brace to straighten them, similar to how braces straighten teeth) Things we understand we don’t try at home alone, but wish doctors had ideas for. Like you, it’s my middle 3 toes, left foot, though my feet are narrow and wide toed shoes tend to come in wide for the whole foot, and I can’t have that slipping and sliding. My PT and I tried to see what bands could do, obviously had to be thick office rubber bands since we’re talking tiny toe stretches, but we couldn’t get it just right.

Jump to this post

Have you seen toe separators? Not sure they would be easy for me to get on the toes but it might be helpful --- https://www.amazon.com/s?k=toe+separator&sprefix=toe%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_mission-aware-v1_1_3

REPLY
1 reply
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 21, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Have you seen toe separators? Not sure they would be easy for me to get on..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Have you seen toe separators? Not sure they would be easy for me to get on the toes but it might be helpful --- https://www.amazon.com/s?k=toe+separator&sprefix=toe%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_mission-aware-v1_1_3

Jump to this post

Thanks John, they are very inexpensive so I will definitely try! I am in stocking feet/inside walking as much as I am outside in shoes; though they probably won’t work in my shoes, I cant see any harm in wearing them inside and try to reform my toes. I’ll let you know how it works!

REPLY
rajoy | @rajoy | Nov 16, 2023

Toe Spacers seem to help me. Start out with 10-20 minutes a day. I am up to wearing them about 6 hrs a day.

REPLY
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