Hammer Toe Causes & Risks

Causes

Hammer toe may be congenital (present at birth) or develop later. It occurs when there is a dislocation of the middle joint of the toe due to:

• Ligaments or tendons that have tightened, causing the toe's joints to curl downward
• Pressure from an adjacent bunion
• Wearing inappropriate footwear:
  • Shoes that don't fit properly, for either an adult or child
  • High heels
  • Narrow-toed shoes
• Arthritis
• The foot having a high arch
• Injury to a toe

Occasionally, all toes may be bent; this may be due to problems with the peripheral nerves or the spinal cord.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chances of developing hammer toe. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:

• Family history of hammer toe
• Arthritis
• Bunions, corns, or persistent calluses on your feet
• Frequent use of the inappropriate footwear (listed above)