I have had intermittent pain in the first joint of my second toe. It only occurred on one foot until a couple of months ago, but now it happens to the second toe on both feet. During a general check up by the physician's assistant in my primary care doctor's office, I was told it was probably the start of a hammer toe and to just put a pad/roll under the toe. However, when I researched hammer toes on line, I found that that problem was supposed to be in the second joint. Any ideas what this could be? Should I be asking for a referral to podiatrist?

Dear Bdajayi
It actually does sound like a "hammer toe". There are three types of "hammer toes". Type 1: toe is contracted at the proximal toe joint only (called a hammer toe) Type 2: toe is contracted at the distal joint only ( called a mallet toe) Type 3: toe that is contracted at the metatarsal phalangeal joint and the distal toe joint.

Hammer toes usually develops due to a muscular imbalance, however tight shoes and genetics do have an influence in their formation.

Treatment: depends on severity of condition, rigidity and pain. Treatment varies from over the counter products such as toe crests (sold on the foot.com website), toe sleeves, toe pads, moldable devices, orthotics all the way to surgical procedures.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert