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Hammer toe is a deformity of the foot that causes an abnormal curve in the middle joint. The condition is generally correctable with surgery, but determining the underlying cause is crucial to prevent a reoccurrence. With help from your podiatrist, you can narrow down the possible source of your condition by looking at your health background, family history, and lifestyle. A thorough examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays, may be ordered to check for muscle, ligament, or bone injuries. Here's a look at the most common causes and how they occur. 1. Prior Injuries A past injury can occasionally lead to a hammer toe, especially if the condition runs in your family and is inherited. Poor healing after breaking a bone in the foot is often a contributing factor. Toes are the most commonly broken bones, and you may not even realize that one of the small bones is broken or fractured. If you have a break or fracture, you may experience swelling, pain, weakness, tenderness, bruising, and/or numbness. 2. Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that gradually attacks joints in the body, usually the small joints in the hands and feet. In fact, more than 90% of people with RA develop symptoms in the ankle and foot. As arthritis weakens the joints, the toes can begin to stiffen and curl. 3. Ill-Fitting Shoes Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow can lead to the development of hammer toes. As high heels commonly cause cramped feet, the condition occurs more frequently in women than in men. The abnormal bending of the arch in high heels can put excessive pressure on the foot, causing a muscle imbalance that affects the joints. 4. Bunions A bunion is a common condition in which a bony bump develops at the base of the big toe, causing joint pain and swelling. Bunions can occur for a number of reasons, including abnormal walking habits, poor-fitting shoes, injuries, or certain neuromuscular disorders. Bunions can contribute to the condition, often resulting in the need for surgery to correct both deformities. 5. High Arch An excessively high arch, also known as hollow foot, can cause a number of foot problems. Many people with a high arch do not have symptoms, but those who do may experience a shortened foot, pain when walking, standing, or running, or difficulty finding comfortable shoes. A high arch is typically caused by a bone condition, which can contribute to the progression of the deformity. 6. Tight Tissues When ligaments and tendons in the foot become unnaturally tight, hammer toes can develop. The most common causes of tight ligaments and tendons include repetitive use or overuse of the fibrous, connective tissues, postural imbalances, prior injuries, aging, and certain medical problems, such as diabetes and thyroid disease. If the deformity is not promptly treated, individuals may suffer from chronic pain and may have difficulty walking. The condition can sometimes be treated with a splint, and by making simple changes like wearing flat, wider shoes. Exercises may also be helpful. In serious cases, surgery performed by an experienced podiatrist may be needed to straighten out the joint. For more information on hammer toes and their causes, contact a podiatrist in your area. To learn more about their options for a podiatrist, New York residents should visit http://www.downtownnycfootcare.com/.
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