Hammer Toes
Hammer and mallet toe are two conditions where joints in your toes fuse.
This causes them to retract and sit back at an awkward angle. This change of position contributes to thick nails or corns, and is one of the chief reasons for painful little toes.
This causes them to retract and sit back at an awkward angle. This change of position contributes to thick nails or corns, and is one of the chief reasons for painful little toes.
Signs and Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of a hammer toe is a clawing or retraction, usually the second or third toe. This is a gradual process.
As it progresses:
As it progresses:
- Nails become thick as they hit the top of shoes.
- Corns form at the joint that's pushed up.
- Footwear becomes painful to wear
Causes
The toes are held straight by a complex and delicate arrangement.
Muscles and tendons, nerves and ligaments all work together to keep your toes aligned.
If the toe is kept in one position for too long, these muscles and joints permanently tighten.
Shoes tapering toward the top push the toes into a bent position. High heels push the toes against the front, adding to this bend pressure.
After time, the toe muscles can't straighten.
Muscles and tendons, nerves and ligaments all work together to keep your toes aligned.
If the toe is kept in one position for too long, these muscles and joints permanently tighten.
Shoes tapering toward the top push the toes into a bent position. High heels push the toes against the front, adding to this bend pressure.
After time, the toe muscles can't straighten.
Prevention and Treatment
Like arthritis, preventing hammer toe is really a question of reducing factors that make it worse.
For example, choosing spacious shoes and keeping on top of any hard skin or thick nails that develop.
For example, choosing spacious shoes and keeping on top of any hard skin or thick nails that develop.
