People with diabetes can be at increased risk for complications. Neuromuscular disease: Neuromuscular diseases can contribute to the development of a hammertoe.That’s why more cases of hammertoes are found in women than men. High heels put severe pressure on the toes and their joints. Poor shoes: Too-narrow, ill-fitting shoes, such as high heels, have little to no arch support.Feet with high arches can also form hammertoes as the extensor tendons overpower the flexors. Flat, flexible feet can lead to hammertoes as the foot tries to stabilize against a flattening arch. Genes: The foot type you’re born with may predispose you to develop this type of joint deformity.Can hammertoes cause numbness?Ībnormal muscle balance in your toe can lead to increased pressure on the tendon and joints, which causes a hammertoe. A bunion is a bump that forms on the outside of your big toe.
Are hammertoes the same things as bunions? Corns and calluses can also be uncomfortable. Trying to move the joint may cause pain and you might experience pain in the ball of your foot. Those who wear high heels and unsupportive shoes are more likely to develop hammertoes. Rigid hammertoes: A rigid hammertoe can no longer move because the tendons and soft tissues have tightened.Semi-rigid: The hammertoe is starting to stiffen.Flexible hammertoes: A flexible hammertoe is still developing, so the affected toes are still able to move at the joint.Mallet toes: The bend is in the third toe joint.Hammertoes: The bend is in the second (or middle) toe joint.Clawtoes: The bend is in the first toe and second joints.Hammertoes are sometimes mixed up with mallet toes and clawtoes. The other four have three joints: at the base of your toe is the metatarsophalangeal joint (the first joint), in the middle is the proximal interphalangeal joint (the second joint) and closest to the tip or toenail is the distal phalangeal joint (the third joint). Of your five toes, the first (or “big” toe) has two joints: the metatarsophalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint. What’s the difference between mallet toes, hammertoes and clawtoes?Įach of your feet have 28 bones. Eventually, you may be unable to move the affected toe. You might find that you also have a corn or callus on top of your deformed toe, which may be painful. This deformity happens because muscles in your foot or leg get weak and the tendons to your toe pull abnormally. A hammertoe is a joint on your toe that points up instead of lying flat. “Hammertoes” is a term for progressive symptoms and joint changes that involve one or more of your toes. What are hammertoes? What do they look and feel like?