![]() Ill-fitting shoes are especially likely to push the toes out of balance. If the bend persists, then as the tendons and ligaments tighten (as they do if not stretched ), the bend may become permanent. The toe muscles work in pairs if the muscles pulling in one direction are much weaker than those pulling in the other direction, the imbalance can bend the toe. This is often found in conjunction with bunions or other foot problems (e.g., a bunion can force the big toe to turn inward and push the other toes). Having the toes bent for long periods of time can cause the muscles in them to shorten, resulting in the hammer toe deformity. Hammer toe most frequently results from wearing poorly fitting shoes that can force the toe into a bent position, such as high heels or shoes that are too short or narrow for the foot. Hammertoes and clawtoes have multiple causes. Causes Ī mallet toe is evident on the 3rd digit. Arthritis and diabetes may also increase the risk of foot deformities. Injuries to the toes, and being born with a big toe that is short in comparison to the second toe, increase risk. Women are at higher risk, due to the construction of women's shoes. Older people are more likely to develop hammer toes. Claw toe can affect the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes. Ĭlaw toe is another similar condition, with dorsiflexion of the proximal phalanx on the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint, combined with flexion of both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Mallet toe is a similar condition affecting the distal interphalangeal joint. In the early stage a flexible hammertoe is movable at the joints a rigid hammertoe joint cannot be moved and usually requires surgery. Surgery is only suggested for hammertoes when conservative options are exhausted.A hammer toe or contracted toe is a deformity of the muscles and ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toe bending it into a shape resembling a hammer. To realign the toes, where appropriate, splints may be used. Custom orthotics can help control the imbalance between the muscles and the tendons. Your Podiatrist will help identify the exact cause and may provide advice on removing corns or reducing the callus, if present. Minimising the wear of high heels will also help, as will ensuring the size of shoes is always measured in accordance with your longest toe, which can be your second toe instead of the big toe – a common mistake. Because footwear is the leading cause of hammertoes, avoiding pointed footwear and always ensuring that there is sufficient room at the toes is a great place to start. However, over time, the toe will become fixed in this position.ĭepending on your symptoms, pain levels and your goals for your toes, your Podiatrist will discuss the best options for you with regards to managing your hammertoes. In the early stages, hammertoes may still be flexible and able to be straightened out with the fingers. The toes may also become red and swollen from rubbing against the shoes. ![]() This can make it painful to walk and will require the blisters, calluses or corns to be managed to alleviate pain. Pain usually results from corns, blisters or calluses that form at the end of the hammertoe where it comes in contact with the ground. However, hammertoes can also become uncomfortable and for some, painful. Many hammertoes can remain asymptomatic, particularly in men that don’t wear tight shoes or place any abnormal pressure on their toes. The biggest symptom is the hammer-like position of the toe. Pressure from a bunionaffecting the first toe.An imbalance between muscles and tendons.Common causes or contributing factors can include: Hammertoes are most likely to affect the second or third toes, though can affect any of the toes. Hammertoes describe the bending (flexion) of the proximal interphalangeal joint. ![]() The names of these joints come from their position between the three toe bones, called the phalanges. The first is called your distal interphalangeal joint which is closest to the end of the toe, and the second is you proximal interphalangeal joint which is closer to the ball of the foot. Claw toes are differentiated by the toe first bending upwards from the ball of the foot, before curling around to point downwards.Įach of the four small toes has two joints between the ball of the foot and the tip of the toe. Unlike claw toes, the toe remains straight through the ball of the foot and then begins to bend downwards, resembling the shape of a hammer. Hammertoes describe the slight toe deformity where the toe begins to point down in the middle of the toe. ![]()
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