Hammertoes
A Hammertoe (aka mallet or claw toe) is an abnormal bending in the toes joints (See Figure 1 below).
Figure 1 - Hammertoeing of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th toes.
Hammertoes usually start out as a mild bending in one or more toes, but over time the bending tends to become more severe. This abnormal bending can result in pressure on the top of the toes when wearing enclosed shoes, which can lead to inflammation and pain in and around the afflicted joints. If ignored, the hammertoe(s) can become rigid and inflexible.
Symptoms of a Hammertoe:
- Contracture (bending) of the toe
- Pain on the top of the bent toe when wearing enclosed shoes
- Inflammation, redness and burning sensation in the bent toe (See Figure 2 below).
Figure 2 - Inflammation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes resulting from hammertoeing.
Traditional Viewpoint of Etiology (cause) and Treatment of Hammertoes
Podiatrists concur that hammertoes are caused by either foot twist or improper (tight) fitting shoes with inadequate room in the toe box. Traditionally, they view hammertoes as a problem with symptoms that are localized in the foot only. That is; a problem that does not affect other parts of the body. Because of this, they just treat the foot pain. For example:
- Padding to shield the corn from shoe irritation
- Changing the shoe wear; avoiding shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short or shoes with high heels
- Corticosteriod injections and/or oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., ibuprofen) to reduce the inflammation and pain
- Splinting/strapping the toe in an attempt to realign the bent toe
- Orthotic devices to help control the muscle/tendon imbalance
In my clinical experience, I see hammertoes as being a symptom of a much larger problem. This problem starts as a structural alteration in the foot, present at birth (i.e., the Rothbarts Foot or the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity), which forces the foot (when standing or walking) to twist. This foot twist leads to not only hammertoes, but also to other symptoms in the entire body, including pain in the knees, hips, back and jaw.
I believe that you must treat the larger problem (the abnormal foot structure) not just the hammertoes (which are just a symptom of the larger problem).
A more logical approach in treating hammertoes would be to effectively treat the cause of the foot twist.
In 2002, I published a major paper (Journal of Bodyworks and Movement Therapy) in the medical journals that described two previously unrecognized, but very common, embryological (present at birth) foot structures that force the foot to twist when standing or walking. I then described a very effective therapy (Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy) that attenuates or completely eliminates the symptoms developing from foot twist.
Reference:
Rothbart BA, 2002. Medial Column Foot Systems: An Innovative Tool for Improving Posture. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (6)1:37-46
Prof/Dr Brian A Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot Structure and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot Structure and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain
Posted by rothbart at 11/5/2010 3:28 PM 
Categories: Symptoms
Tags: Foot Twist Professor/Dr Brian A Rothbart Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy Hammertoes
Categories: Symptoms
Tags: Foot Twist Professor/Dr Brian A Rothbart Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy Hammertoes
Dear Doctor,
Would you say that Rothbarts foot is the cause of scoliosis then?
Can you help a 15 year old girl?
Thank you.
Mike
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Dear Mike,
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