What are Hammer toes?

Hammer toe occurs from a muscle and ligament imbalance surrounding the middle toe joint. These muscles, tendons, and ligaments work together to bend and straighten the toes. If one of the muscles weakens, it cannot bend or straighten the toe. If the toe stays bent long enough, the muscles tighten and the toe will not be able to straighten out. These muscle weaknesses and imbalances are caused by a variety of factors. Because some of the causes for hammer toe are avoidable, it is possible to minimize risk of developing hammer toe.

Below are a few causes:
• • Certain shoes – wearing high heels or shoes that are too tight
• • Sex – women are more likely to develop hammer toe
• • Injuries – When a toe is broken, stubbed, or jammed, it is possible to develop hammer toe
• • Age – risk increases with age
• • Toe length – second toe is longer than the big toe, hammer toe is more likely to occur
• • Genetics – sometimes, hammer toe is hereditary and may run in families
• • Certain diseases – arthritis or diabetes are more likely to develop foot problems, including hammer toe

Due to footwear certain footwear styles, women are more likely to develop hammer toe. With that the risk of hammer toe rises with age

Symptoms

The affected toe will be bent, looking like a hammer

• Other symptoms include:
  • • Pain in the affected toe
  • • Corns and callouses on top of the middle joint
  • • Swelling, redness, or a burning sensation
  • • In severe cases, open sores may develop on the toe
  • • Inability to straighten the toe

Risk factors and complications

Unfortunately hammer toes will worsening over time. With that if not promptly treated, the toe joint may become fixed requiring surgery to straighten it.

For a consultation fill out our online form by clicking here? You can also call our office at 973-258-0111