Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Anybody else with hammer toes?

As I posted a month or so ago, I met a person with AS at a job I was doing. I recognized the condition right away, and to make along story short, (you can read the past post) we went to eat after our gig and we discovered that we both have hammer toes. So does his twin (who also has AS but not as bad). I was just wondering how many others out here may have hammer toes too.

DonCA

Hi DonCA,

Oh yeah, I've got hammertoes big time. They are so bad, in fact, that there are very few shoes I can wear. Until a couple weeks ago, my only real pair of shoes was a custom-made pair that cost almost $250. Because my hammertoes stick up so much at the knuckle where they are bent (esp. on the left foot), the average shoe does not have enough room in the toe box for me. I had a pair of New Balance shoes with a velcro closure that I just loved, but eventually, my toes kept bending up more and more, and eventually I had to ditch them because they were rubbing the skin on the joint raw, which hurt like the dickens and posed a risk of infection.

Once I lost those, I had to get the custom shoes made. They have a very large toe box, and they have been great. They don't look like you might expect orthopedic shoes to look, but actually are reasonably fashionable. They also have a velcro closure, which is essential because of not being able to bend down. I also have a great pair of Hush Puppy indoor-outdoor slippers that I wear a lot that are very comfortable, but that was it for a couple years.

Just a couple weeks ago, though, I made a great discovery. My friend had a pair of shoes from a maker called Simple that looked like they might work for me--slip on (they are a clog, but don't let that word scare you if you hate clogs) with a large toe box area. I forgot about them for months, then remembered when he asked me after Christmas if I had ever bought a pair. Well, that reminder, combined with Christmas money, was the perfect trigger. I went and bought a pair ($80), and they are FANTASTIC! Almost no breaking in period--they feel like I've worn them for 10 years, and no slipping off the back of the foot like I expected with a clog. They come in light tan, darker tan (which I got), and black. You can go to the Simple website (www.simple.com, I think), or call around and look for a dealer in your area. Not many stores carry them however--try outdoor, hiking type stores, or alternative shoewear stores that carry a large selection of Birkenstocks, etc. Try em for your hammertoes--you'll love em!

One final note on the toes themselves--as I said, they are way worse on the left side, but getting worse on the right. I visited an orthopedic doctor who specialized in the foot (not a podiatrist, that's very different), and he took molds of my feet and fitted me with orthopedic inserts (which helped a lot too--I wear them still in the custom-made shoes, don't need them in the Simple shoes). He said the only way to straighten out the toes that were bent the worst was to do a rather tough surgery to break the bone, etc. I opted to skip that, as I've had too many other surgeries. They have continued to decline since then, with three toes on the left significantly curled and bent (the three between the little and big toes), and the same toes on my right foot starting to do the same.

So, there is my experience with hammertoes. Hope that helps someone. If you are having trouble finding shoes, don't hesitate to get custom ones made, if you can find a way to afford it. Those shoes, along with the Simple shoes, have made all the difference in the world.

Brad
wolverinefan2

I have one hammertoe, on my right foot. Just the second toe over the big one. I tape my toes everyday. I have a job where I am up and down all day, sometime standing all day, and I can't leave it untaped. I take about a 4 inch piece of medical tape( I had to experiment with every kind of tape to find the one that stuck the best but did not ruin my skin to much) then take a 1 inch piece and put it on the sticky side of the 4 inch piece (sticky side to sticky side) so my sock doesn't stick to the exposed side, then go under the third toe over the second and back under the big toe. This causes the least disturbance for me. I have been doing this for about 3 years now.
Every now and then they crack and hurt a little, but I'm getting by without surgery. Good luck.

Yup, me. I have these silicone moulds to stick between them before I slip my socks on to stop them from curling when I walk, but I never bother wearing them, they are just too uncomfortable.

Daz

I've never heard the name "hammer toes" before but it sounds much alike the condition I had with my right foot. Caused by my nerve problem with the leg, my toes had curled under the front of my foot but not quite like the picture of hammer toes I just saw on the net where the toes bend together and part of the toes sticks up in the air.

The Doctor wasn't sure about what to do about it so I went back to a Doctor who had treated my back pain with needles years before. After two treatments consisting of needles in the foot and calf muscles and ligaments, my toes straightened out. They started to curl again last year but at that time, they looked more like what you are describing. One visit to get the needle treatment fixed it quickly.


Thanks for the name. Now I know what to call it.

George


Breb Assyl

My mother had these pretty bad (all toes, both feet) and interestingly developed very quickly. She had surgery on both feet and has no problems whatsoever. Came through it very well, had to use a walker and cane for a bit. She was a champ through this.


This bunny Kicks AS !

Yes, I have two feet full of hammer toes. My PCP has suggested I get them fixed, but my discussions with an Ortho sugeon I decided to do without the surgery for now as he suggested custom shoes, and orthotics (fallen arches as well). I've had the hammer toes for quit awhile, but in the last year, I have had a lot of joint damage happening in my feet, so that prompted the visit to the surgeon. The time will come to have them fixed, but now with these shoes etc (thanks to the surgeons suggestions) I'm walking straighter and with much less pain in my knees, and especially my hips. Darn toes started it all.

The buggy's got hammertoes as well. Yep...bugs have toes contrary to popular belief ...

I have two slight hammertoes .1 on each foot...with a dash of plantar fascitis, pronation of foot, one leg shorter by almost two inches & tendonitis in feet. They said the spine problems caused the shrinkage in leg causing more pain in hips, & more pressure on feet too. I've tried some insoles with no luck. I tried unsuccessfully these slip on cushions cuz NOW I even have tailor's bunions on side of feet. I think my pinky hammertoe shoved the little cushion off in retailiation. Podiatrist says surgery is next open choice. From what I read so far..perhaps I may see my ortho doc to discuss options.


Buggy

I also have hammer toes on my right foot.Had operation to strighen toes but didn`t work very good.