Hammertoes – Understanding The Basics
What Are Hammertoes?
A hammertoe occurs from a muscle and ligament imbalance around the toe joint which causes the middle joint of the toe to bend and become stuck in this position. The most common complaint caused by hammertoes is the rubbing and irritation that occurs on the top of the bent toe – which can result in corns, calluses and blisters.
Toes that curl rather than buckle — most commonly the baby toe — are also considered hammertoes.

There are two types of hammertoes:
1. Flexible hammertoes. If the toe still can be moved at the joint, it’s a flexible hammertoe. That’s good because this is an earlier, milder form of the problem. There may be several treatment options.
2. Rigid hammertoes. If the tendons in the toe become rigid, they press the joint out of alignment. At this stage, the toe can’t be moved. It usually means that surgery is needed.
What Causes Hammertoes?
The muscles of each toe work in pairs. When the toe muscles get out of balance, a hammertoe can form. Muscle imbalance puts a lot of pressure on the toe’s tendons and joints. This pressure forces the toe into a hammerhead shape.
There are three main causes:
1. Genes: You may have inherited a tendency to develop hammertoes because your feet are genetically somewhat unstable — they may be flat or have a high arch.
2. Arthritis
3. Ill-fitting shoes – which are the main culprits. If shoes are too tight, too short, or too pointy, they push the toes out of shape and out of balance. Pointy, high-heeled shoes put particularly severe pressure on the toes.
What Causes Hammertoes?
Symptoms of Hammertoes include:
Understanding Hammertoes — Prevention
Preventing foot problems, including hammertoes, is often a matter of wearing the right shoes and taking care of your feet. A few tips:
Check your feet regularly for problems. This is especially true if you have diabetes or any other medical condition that causes poor circulation or numbness in your toes. If you do, check feet daily so that problems can be caught early on.
Good circulation is essential. When you’re sitting down, put your feet up. If you’ve been sitting for a while, stretch your legs and feet. Give yourself a foot massage — or trade foot massages with someone you love. A warm foot bath is also a good idea.
Above all, wear sensible shoes. Here are some tips:
For more information about how Podiatry can help you, call us today