From the Guidelines
Shoes for hammer toes should provide ample toe room with a wide, deep toe box to prevent pressure on the affected toes, as recommended by the guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2023 update) 1.
Key Features of Hammer Toe Shoes
- Soft, flexible uppers made of materials like leather or mesh that won't rub against the deformity
- Removable insoles to allow for custom orthotics if needed
- Extra wide or deep shoes for people with bony deformities, such as hammertoes
- Avoid high heels, pointed toe shoes, and any footwear that compresses the toes
Benefits of Proper Footwear
- Reduces pain and prevents worsening of hammer toes by eliminating pressure on the bent joints
- Potentially slows progression of the deformity and improves comfort during daily activities
- Helps prevent foot ulcers in people with diabetes who are at risk of foot ulceration (IWGDF risk 1-3) 1
Recommendations for Footwear Selection
- Try shoes later in the day when feet are naturally more swollen
- Ensure there's a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the shoe end
- Consider custom-molded shoes for people with bony deformities who cannot be accommodated with commercial therapeutic footwear 1
From the Research
Hammer Toe Shoes
- Hammer toe is a common foot deformity that can cause pain and discomfort, and one treatment option is the use of orthopedic shoes and inserts 2.
- Inserts can provide support, padding, and cushioning, and can be custom-made to measure and/or based on a plaster impression 2.
- The shoe and inlay should constitute a functional unit, as the optimal effect is often only achieved with a combination of insert and orthopedic adjustment of the ready-made shoe 2.
- While there are various surgical options for correcting hammer toe deformity, including the use of absorbable pins 3 and intraosseous techniques 4, the use of hammer toe shoes and inserts is a conservative therapy option that can relieve pain and improve symptoms.
- Other studies have focused on surgical techniques for correcting hammer toe deformity, such as proximal interphalangeal joint resection arthroplasty or fusion 5, and the use of permanent internal fixation options 5.
- Additionally, some studies have explored the use of specific devices, such as the Trim-it Drill pin, for correcting digital deformities including hammertoe, clawtoe, and mallet toe 6.