Hammertoe is a condition wherein the toe is bent in the middle joint. The bent shape of the toe resembles a "hammer." Hammertoe occurs most frequently on the second toe. According to the Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, the symptoms of hammertoe include calluses, corns and foot pain. Switching to appropriate footwear and using shoe inserts treats the discomfort of hammertoe. However, more serious cases require surgery.
Footwear
The most common cause of hammertoe stems from wearing shoes that are too tight, narrow, short or high heels. These types of shoes push the toes forward and cramp them in a space that is too small to permit the toes to lie flat. Further, children who continue to wear shoes they have outgrown are susceptible to developing hammertoe. Initially the toes retain their elasticity and can revert to normal shape after the removal of the ill-fitting shoes. However, over time permanent damage occurs and the toes remain bent.
Genetic
Genetics factors are a cause of hammertoes. Some people have hammertoe at birth, whereas others have a genetic predisposition to develop hammertoe despite wearing appropriate footwear.
Injury
A foot injury is another cause of hammertoe. If the toe break or jams, hammertoe may develop if the toe does not heal correctly.
Diseases
Diseases that lead to muscle and nerve damage in the toes can cause hammertoe. Diabetic neuropathy, a condition affecting diabetics, damages the nerves and muscles in the toes and can cause hammertoe. Other diseases that can cause hammertoe include arthritis and strokes.
