10 Hammer Toe Symptoms
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Hammertoe is a foot deformity caused by an imbalance in the foot muscles that usually hold the toe straight. This imbalance puts pressure on the toe joint and causes the second, third or fourth toe to become deformed. Hammertoe commonly arises in people who wear ill-fitting unsupportive shoes or high heels.
Over time, hammertoe can get progressively worse. If tended to quickly, hammertoe can be easily managed. However, if the condition is not dealt with promptly, the joint may become fixed in a bent shape and might require surgery to straighten.1’Hammer Toe.’ OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hammer-toe
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Abnormally Bent Toe
The most visible symptom of hammertoe is the abnormal bend in the joints of the second, third or fourth toe, causing the toe to curl under the foot. While the end of the toe is bent downward, the middle joint sticks upward. As the name suggests, the condition causes the toe to resemble a hammer.
Hammertoe is sometimes described as featuring claw-like toes or a toe that's bent in a Z-shaped position. Although hammertoe can affect any of the second, third or fourth toes, the second toe is usually affected.2’Hammertoes: Causes, Relief & Treatment.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17038-hammertoes
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