What Causes Hammertoe Deformity?
In many cases hammertoes are inherited. They can also be caused by injuries, such as fractures (broken toes) or dislocated joints in the toes. Hammertoes are usually caused by an imbalance between the muscle groups in the foot and leg. If the joint supporting structures are destabilized, the toe can become contracted. This is very common in people with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also common in people with diabetes. Hammertoes most often start out as relatively mild deformity, but will usually worsen over time. Without some sort of treatment, hammertoes will always continue to get worse. This may happen slowly, or it may happen quickly depending on the circumstances. Hammertoes never simply go away without some kind of treatment.
