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The toe didn't always look like that. Maybe it started after a long stretch in shoes that pinched, or after a bunion changed how your foot loaded weight, or after your second toe just quietly decided one day not to lie flat anymore. Then a corn appeared on top of the joint, where shoes rub. Then a callus showed up under the ball of the foot. And now the toe stays bent - even when nothing is pressing against it.
Hammertoes are common, progressive, and very treatable. Our podiatrist at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness in Freehold, NJ sees them at every stage - from a barely noticeable curl that responds to a different shoe, to a rigid, painful deformity that needs surgical correction. The right approach depends on how flexible the toe still is, how much it hurts, and what you need your feet to do.
This page covers what a hammertoe is, why they develop, how we treat them, and what makes our practice a good fit for serious foot care.

A hammertoe is a toe deformity in which the middle joint of the toe bends downward, forcing the tip to point toward the floor. The shape resembles the head of a hammer - which is exactly where the name comes from. It most commonly affects the second, third, or fourth toe, and it often shows up in feet that already have a bunion or significant mechanical issues.
Hammertoes fall into two categories, and the distinction matters for treatment:
The toe is bent but can still be manually straightened. Treatment focuses on preserving flexibility, controlling pain, and slowing progression.
The toe has lost the ability to straighten. The joint has stiffened, and surgical correction is usually the most effective path forward.
Most hammertoes start flexible and gradually become rigid if they aren't addressed. That's why earlier care almost always means more options.

Hammertoes announce themselves through both visual changes and patterns of pain. Many patients first notice the appearance - a toe that's curled where it didn't used to be, or that stays bent even when there's no shoe touching it. The discomfort tends to follow shortly after.
Common signs of a hammertoe include:
The corn or callus is often what brings patients in. The pain at the top of the toe - where shoes rub against the raised joint - becomes a daily irritation that doesn't respond to home remedies, because the underlying problem is structural.
A hammertoe develops when the muscles and tendons that control the toe fall out of balance. The tendons that pull the toe up and the ones that pull it down work against each other, and when that balance shifts - usually over years - the joint settles into a bent position.
Several factors contribute to that imbalance:
The takeaway: you didn't get a bunion because you wore the wrong shoes once. It's almost always a combination of how your foot is built and how it's been used over years.
When a hammertoe is still flexible, conservative care can be remarkably effective. The goal isn't full anatomical correction - once the joint has started bending, complete straightening usually requires surgery - but to control pain, preserve flexibility, and slow the slide toward a rigid joint.
Our podiatrist builds non-surgical plans around what's actually causing your symptoms. Common options include:
This is often the single most important step. Shoes with a wider, deeper toe box give the toes room to lie flat. Soft, flexible uppers reduce friction over the bent joint. Lower heels shift weight off the forefoot. These changes alone can dramatically reduce pain.
A properly designed orthotic supports the arch, controls pronation, and redistributes pressure away from the ball of the foot and the bent toe joint. For patients whose hammertoes are driven by foot mechanics - not just shoes - orthotics are often the most impactful single treatment.
Gel pads cushion the corn or callus and reduce friction inside the shoe. Splints can hold the toe in a straighter position and help maintain flexibility. Neither corrects the underlying deformity, but both can meaningfully reduce day-to-day pain.
Targeted exercises - toe stretches, towel scrunches, marble pickups - strengthen the small intrinsic muscles of the foot and improve toe flexibility. When a hammertoe is caught early, consistent exercise can slow or sometimes halt progression.
For flare-ups, ice protocols, topical or oral anti-inflammatories, and occasional corticosteroid injections can break the pain cycle and let the joint calm down.
Because NJ Sports Spine & Wellness brings podiatry and physical therapy under one roof, our podiatrist often coordinates with our PT team for gait retraining and lower-extremity strengthening when foot mechanics are part of the picture.
Many patients with flexible hammertoes manage them effectively for years on this kind of layered plan. The conversation about surgery starts when the joint stiffens, when conservative care can no longer control the pain, or when secondary problems - like recurring infected corns or skin ulcers - start showing up.
When a hammertoe has become rigid, or when pain persists despite consistent conservative care, surgical correction can realign the toe and resolve the symptoms that have been pulling your attention down to your foot all day.
Several surgical approaches are available, and the right one depends on the specifics of your deformity:
for flexible hammertoes that don't respond to conservative care. The procedure rebalances the tendons that are pulling the toe into the bent position.
for rigid hammertoes. A small portion of the stiffened joint is removed to allow the toe to straighten.
for severe, painful rigid hammertoes. The joint is fused in a corrected position, providing permanent stability and pain relief.
Many of these corrections can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Small incisions, specialized instruments, and modern fixation hardware allow the procedure to be done with less trauma to the surrounding tissue. The cosmetic result is better, and patients generally experience less postoperative discomfort and a sooner return to walking.

Our podiatrist will examine your foot, review imaging, and recommend the approach most likely to give you a durable, functional result - not just for the affected toe, but for your foot as a whole.

Modern minimally invasive techniques have changed what hammertoe surgery looks like and feels like:
These advantages matter especially for patients who want their feet to look and function normally, and who can't afford to be off their feet for an extended period.
A hammertoe rarely exists in isolation. It usually shows up alongside a bunion, alongside arch problems, or in the context of a foot whose mechanics have been off for years. Treating the toe without considering everything around it tends to produce short-term relief and long-term frustration.
That's where our integrated approach matters:

You won't be funneled toward surgery because that's the only tool available. Our podiatrist treats the full spectrum of hammertoe presentations - from early, flexible deformities to rigid, painful joints - and recommends what's genuinely best for your foot.

Hammertoes often connect to broader mechanical issues. Our Freehold, NJ office combines podiatry with physical therapy, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and pain management - so you can address the toe and the upstream causes in one place.

Many of our patients are athletes, runners, or active adults who need their feet to perform, not just survive. Our care model is built around getting people back to the activities they love.

You'll leave your first appointment knowing what you have, what your options are, and what we'd recommend and why. No pressure, no upsell - just the information you need to make a good decision.

Our Freehold, NJ office is built around making thorough foot care convenient, with appointment availability designed to fit real schedules.
A flexible hammertoe - one that can still be manually moved into a straight position - can often be managed effectively with non-surgical care. Splints, taping, exercises, orthotics, and the right shoes can reduce pain and slow progression. A rigid hammertoe, where the joint has stiffened, cannot be fully straightened without surgical correction. That's why early evaluation matters: the sooner we see the toe, the more likely conservative care will be enough.
All three involve abnormal bending of the smaller toes, but the affected joints differ. A hammertoe bends at the middle joint of the toe. A mallet toe bends at the joint closest to the toenail. A claw toe involves bending at both joints, often combined with an upward bend at the base of the toe. Treatment principles overlap considerably, though the specific surgical approach may vary.
Look for shoes with a wide, deep toe box that doesn't press down on the bent joint. Soft, flexible uppers reduce friction over the corn or callus. A low heel shifts weight away from the forefoot. Stiff-soled shoes can also help by reducing the bending forces on the toes. Many athletic and comfort-focused brands now make styles specifically designed for patients with toe deformities.
Look for a wide, rounded toe box that doesn't squeeze the joint, a low heel (under one inch is ideal), soft and flexible upper material that won't rub the bunion, and good arch support. Many athletic and walking brands now make models specifically designed with bunion-friendly features. During your appointment, our podiatrist can recommend specific styles that suit the shape of your foot.
Recurrence is uncommon when the underlying foot mechanics are addressed alongside the surgical correction. If a hammertoe is corrected but the original drivers - poor footwear, untreated bunions, abnormal pronation - aren't addressed, the deformity can return over time. A comprehensive treatment plan that combines surgery with mechanical correction and supportive care offers the best long-term results.
If you've been managing around a bent toe - adjusting your shoes, dodging the corn, hoping it doesn't get worse - there's a better path forward. Our podiatry team in Freehold, NJ can examine your foot, identify exactly what's happening, and build a plan that fits your life.
Schedule a consultation today. Call (908) 866-7246 or request an appointment online - we offer same-day availability for many appointments.
FREEHOLD, NJ — A new indoor pickleball club is set to host its Grand Opening event toward the end of March.On Thursday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dill Dinkers Freehold will host its Grand Opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce.During the grand opening event, attendees will be able to enjoy free open play, local vendors and free giveaways, officials said.The grand opening will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting ceremony set to begin at 4:45 p.m. You can ...
FREEHOLD, NJ — A new indoor pickleball club is set to host its Grand Opening event toward the end of March.
On Thursday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dill Dinkers Freehold will host its Grand Opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce.
During the grand opening event, attendees will be able to enjoy free open play, local vendors and free giveaways, officials said.
The grand opening will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting ceremony set to begin at 4:45 p.m. You can register here.
“Come experience the energy on the courts and meet the growing pickleball community right here in Freehold,” the club said in an online post. “We can’t wait to celebrate with you!”
Located on Mounts Corner Drive, Dill Dinkers Freehold first opened its doors to players in late January and is now hosting its official grand opening event.
Stephen Hafner, the regional developer for Dill Dinkers in New Jersey, previously said that Dill Dinkers provides “exceptional resources for pickleball players,” and that he’s “thrilled to bring this experience to the Freehold community.”
“Our indoor facilities allow community members to safely stay active during the colder months while offering a fun and community-first environment," he said.
At Dill Dinkers Freehold, players can enjoy:
Alongside the club features, Dill Dinkers also offers private event spaces for community celebrations and various leagues for players of all ages and skill levels, officials said.
To learn more, you can visit the Dill Dinkers Freehold website.
Dill Dinkers Freehold is located at 202 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold.
Previous Coverage
Tasked with figuring out how to mine raw materials on Venus and bring them to an orbital settlement, these four students got the job done:HIGHLANDS, NJ — Tasked with figuring out how to mine raw materials on Venus and transport them to an orbital settlement, four students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) dove into the science-developed plans to get the job done.Their efforts earned accolades at the prestigious East Coast Space Settlement Design Competition (ECSSDC) held on March 7 at Toms River E...
HIGHLANDS, NJ — Tasked with figuring out how to mine raw materials on Venus and transport them to an orbital settlement, four students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) dove into the science-developed plans to get the job done.
Their efforts earned accolades at the prestigious East Coast Space Settlement Design Competition (ECSSDC) held on March 7 at Toms River East High School.
During the intense, day-long competition, students from throughout the region worked in large multinational-style teams to develop a comprehensive engineering proposal addressing the systems, hardware, personnel and operational processes required to mine raw materials from Venus and transport them to the fictional Nubarum settlement for processing and distribution.
MAST junior Dolan Dunnigan of Middletown was part of the competition’s winning team, helping develop the final proposal selected by judges.
Alongside Dunnigan, MAST sophomore Daniel Chiu of Edison received the competition’s Paul Stenzel STEM Pioneer Award, recognizing exceptional design ingenuity and innovation.
MAST juniors Noah Eckert of Aberdeen and Jason Samuel of Freehold also delivered outstanding performances.
“This experience pushes students to imagine ambitious futures while also considering responsible and human-centered design,” said MAST technology studies teacher Wendy Green. “The skills they practice — collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and resilience — extend far beyond the competition.”
Competition participants were responsible for developing solutions across multiple engineering disciplines, including transportation systems, life-support infrastructure, mining technologies, human factors, communications, and logistics.
Students collaborated under real-world constraints, producing technical documentation, system diagrams, and a formal presentation to the judges by the end of the 12-hour design sprint.
The East Coast Space Settlement Design Competition is modeled after real aerospace industry proposal processes and is affiliated with the internationally recognized International Space Settlement Design Competition.
Students are challenged to approach space settlement not just as a scientific problem but as a complex systems engineering endeavor requiring coordination across many technical fields, officials said.
The competition emphasized more than technical knowledge. It challenged students to work together under pressure, think boldly while remaining grounded in practical engineering, and communicate complex ideas across disciplines.
MAST is one of six full-time career academies in the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD) that welcomes students as freshmen and retains them through their senior year of high school for a "focused learning experience that helps them take meaningful steps toward their college and career goals."
Alongside MAST, other schools in the MCVSD include the Academy of Allied Health and Science, the Academy of Law and Public Safety, Biotechnology High School, Communications High School and High Technology High School.
UPPER FREEHOLD — The mayor and council of this Monmouth County town are furious that land meant for warehouses will instead be preserved as open space.The Monmouth County commissioners approved a plan to buy 115.5 acres of land in Upper Freehold off I-195 and Old York Road from developers. Thursday's 3-1 vote came after years of protests to stop developers from building warehouses on the Stein Property, as it's locally known. Instead, it will be preserved as open space.The buy was championed by Allentown Mayor Thomas Frit...
UPPER FREEHOLD — The mayor and council of this Monmouth County town are furious that land meant for warehouses will instead be preserved as open space.
The Monmouth County commissioners approved a plan to buy 115.5 acres of land in Upper Freehold off I-195 and Old York Road from developers. Thursday's 3-1 vote came after years of protests to stop developers from building warehouses on the Stein Property, as it's locally known. Instead, it will be preserved as open space.
The buy was championed by Allentown Mayor Thomas Fritts, who said the commissioners' vote was "a truly historic moment." Some of the largest protests came from residents of Allentown, which sits next to the land.
"Together, we have permanently protected another vital piece of our green belt —preserving our rich history, the historic byway, our residential neighborhoods, and our cherished village," Fritts said on social media.
Fritts also congratulated Upper Freehold. Many residents came out to last week's commissioners meeting to thank them for stopping the warehouses. But the neighboring township's officials aren't celebrating.
There's fury from Upper Freehold Mayor Stanley Moslowski Jr. and the local council. They condemned the commissioners' decision, which takes away the town's autonomy over its land that was zoned for warehouses.
Moslowski and the council questioned why Monmouth County spent $27.75 million — over $240,000 an acre — to buy the land from developers who spent $15 million on the same land four years earlier.
And new warehouses would have brought in vital tax revenues for the township for at least the next decade, said a resolution the officials sent to the Monmouth County commissioners. The warehouses would have generated $13 million in local taxes, including over $9.5 million in school taxes.
"This commercial rateable would ease the tax burden of the residents of Upper Freehold and provide much needed funds to the Upper Freehold Regional School District," the resolution said.
Upper Freehold isn't the only township that's counting on warehouses to support local schools. According to a recent study from researchers at Rutgers University, warehouses generate over $11 billion in local and state taxes in New Jersey.
Warehouses have become the lifeblood of New Jersey's economy. The study found that the Garden State has more than 1 billion square feet of warehouse space, and 95% of it is being used.
The study shows that nearly 764,000 workers are employed in New Jersey warehouses. And, directly or indirectly, the giant buildings support over 1.3 million jobs in the state.
Firefighters were called to Millstone Township Middle School after the person suffered a medical emergency on the catwalk, officials said.MILLSTONE, NJ — A person was rescued on Saturday evening after getting stuck on a 40-foot-high catwalk in Millstone Township Middle School.At 5:03 p.m. on Saturday, the Millstone Township Fire Department responded to the middle school after being dispatched there for a medical emergency on the catwalk in the performing arts center.Once Chief Mike Maloney and responding units ar...
MILLSTONE, NJ — A person was rescued on Saturday evening after getting stuck on a 40-foot-high catwalk in Millstone Township Middle School.
At 5:03 p.m. on Saturday, the Millstone Township Fire Department responded to the middle school after being dispatched there for a medical emergency on the catwalk in the performing arts center.
Once Chief Mike Maloney and responding units arrived at the scene, they confirmed that one person was stuck on the catwalk, which is approximately 40 feet above the ground.
From there, authorities said access was evaluated, and based off the rescue requiring "removal down through two separate levels via a rope system," additional assistance was then requested from the Englishtown Fire Department and Monroe Township Fire District #2.
"Millstone Firefighter/EMT's accessed the catwalk, provided patient care and began setting up anchor points for haul systems," the fire department said in an online post.
"Englishtown Engine 12 arrived and the two agencies worked together to build out the rope systems and package the patient in a removal device called a SKED. Personnel from Monroe Tower 57 provided manpower."
From there, authorities said the patient was lowered about 15 feet from the catwalk in a limited-access area to the mezzanine, then a haul system was used to lower the patient down a steep staircase to the ground.
Once the patient was on the ground, they were turned over to the fire department ambulance crew and Atlantic Healthcare paramedics.
Authorities did not release the name or age of the person who was rescued.
"Members worked efficiently and demonstrated great inner agency operability to complete this incident safely," the fire department said. "Incidents like this are high risk/low frequency, and require vast training to carryout. All personnel operating should be commended for their actions."
In an online post, the Englishtown Fire Department expressed its gratitude for those who helped with the rescue as well, adding that the department was proud to be requested for assistance.
"Incidents like this require specialized equipment, coordination, and extensive training," the department said. "While these calls are relatively rare, our members regularly train for technical rescue situations to ensure we are prepared to assist when they occur."
"We appreciate the strong cooperation between Millstone Township Fire Department and Monroe Township Fire District #2 who all worked together to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."
FREEHOLD, NJ — Guests can look forward to games, giveaways and more when Jack & Jones and JJXX open at Freehold Raceway Mall in March.On Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 15, the global fashion brand and its women’s line will celebrate their grand opening at the mall, marking one of the brand’s first U.S. locations.The two days of grand opening festivities will include snacks, refreshments, games, giveaways, and a Wheel of Fortune spinning freebies throughout the day.For one hour each day fr...
FREEHOLD, NJ — Guests can look forward to games, giveaways and more when Jack & Jones and JJXX open at Freehold Raceway Mall in March.
On Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 15, the global fashion brand and its women’s line will celebrate their grand opening at the mall, marking one of the brand’s first U.S. locations.
The two days of grand opening festivities will include snacks, refreshments, games, giveaways, and a Wheel of Fortune spinning freebies throughout the day.
For one hour each day from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., shoppers will also have the chance to score select hoodies for just $5, mall officials said.
“Jack & Jones and JJXX bring a fresh, exciting energy to our malls,” Eric Bunyan, Senior Vice President of Leasing, Macerich, previously said. “Their focus on quality, style, and versatile fashion perfectly complements the shopping experience our guests expect, and we’re thrilled to introduce these brands to our communities.”
“These openings reflect our commitment to bringing world-class retailers to our properties, offering shoppers the latest in fashion trends and a vibrant, engaging experience every time they visit,” Bunyan continued.
Founded in Denmark, Jack & Jones has grown from a denim-focused menswear label into a global fashion retailer operating over 4,000 stores worldwide.
JJXX, the brand’s women’s line, offers high-quality denim and versatile wardrobe essentials.
With the opening of Jack & Jones and JJXX, the new store is just the latest in a series of additions at Freehold Raceway Mall.
Alongside the global fashion brand, the mall has also recently welcomed stores such as Dry Goods, J. Crew Factory and Warby Parker.
On the dining side, new restaurants such as Mango Thai and Kura Revolving Sushi Bar have brought new food options to the customers, alongside a variety of renovations and relocations of existing stores.
The grand opening for Jack & Jones and JJXX will take place March 14 through March 15 on the mall’s lower level by the House of Sport / JCPenney wings.
To learn more, you can visit the Freehold Raceway Mall website.
Freehold Raceway Mall is located at 3710 U.S. 9, Freehold.

