What causes hammer toes and claw toes?
The most common toe deformities are hammer toes, claw toes, and bone spurs. These involve the lesser toes (2nd through 5th toes). In a hammer toe, the toe is bent at the middle knuckle of the toe, while in a claw toe the toe is bent at both the middle knuckle and tip of the toe. A bone spur can occur anywhere on the toes but most commonly affects the 4th and 5th toes. Each of the deformities can create corns on the toes and in more severe cases redness, swelling, and even an open sore can develop. It is important to note that the corns are not a skin problem! They develop because the skin is being crushed and irritated between the bones in your toes and your shoe. You are usually born with the foot type that predisposes you to hammer and claw toes. People with flat feet, high-arched feet, or really flexible feet are more prone to develop these problems. Other causes are excessively long toes, tendon imbalance, injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuromuscular disease. Over time, the mech
