Hammertoe is a condition where any but the big toe starts to bend, causing the toe to curl up higher than any of your other toes. This bending can cause pain within the toe, and corns or calluses may form on the outside of the toe or on nearby areas of the foot. Hammertoe is sometimes called mallet toe, depending on which toe joints are involved. The resulting pain and inflammation usually gets worse without treatment. Fortunately, there are many things you can do in the early stages to help slow down or prevent the progression of this condition.
Structure
Hammertoe is caused by an imbalance in the muscles of the toes and foot that eventually cause contraction of the tendons and joints. Structural changes occur in the foot over time and eventually the toes begin to bend into a hammer-like position. When this first happens, your toes may still be flexible and lie flat when you wear comfortable, box-toed shoes. As the tendons in your toes contract and get tighter, your toes become less and less flexible. If the tendons get too tight and the joint becomes immobilized, surgery is typically required to straighten out the toes and relieve pain.
Shoes
Shoes that fit improperly or that put pressure on the toes or cause cramping aggravate and can even cause hammertoes. These include very pointy shoes, shoes that are too short or shoes with heels so high that the toes are forcibly crushed against the front of the shoe. Sometimes, when hammertoe is already starting to develop, no shoe is right. In that case, a podiatrist can fit you for a custom-made orthotic device to place in your shoe, which will help correct the imbalance and help hold your foot in a correctly aligned position.
Trauma
Sometimes hammertoe can be the result of an injury, such as a fractured or broken toe. If you have diabetes, arthritis or another disease that affects nerves and muscles, structural damage to the feet from these medical conditions can also cause hammertoe.
Genetics
Some people inherit a tendency toward hammertoes. In this case, preventative measures that can help reduce the risk of developing hammertoe or worsening of the condition. These include wearing comfortable, low-heeled, boxy shoes, including toe stretches when you exercise and speaking with a doctor who can recommend early treatment.
Aging
Hammertoe is a progressive condition that worsens with time. Early on, hammertoes are as flexible as normal toes and generally don't cause any pain. As time goes by, however, hammertoes can become rigid and at that point, may require surgery.
