Claw and hammer toes
Symptoms: Claw and hammer toes are a very common toe deformity. Having a claw or hammer toe means your toes bend up and downwards in an abnormal way. This can be quite painful. Because the skin of the affected joints tends to rub against shoes, corns and calluses are common.
Causes: Claw and hammer toes are caused by imbalance between the muscles of the toes. This may be the result of flat feet, a traumatic injury. a disease of the toe joints or diabetes. Tight shoes are also a risk factor. If the toe is held in one position, the muscles become shorter and cannot stretch out. As a result the toes stay at that bent position and result in a claw toe or hammer toe (depending on which muscle tightens).
Treatment: If not treated, toe deformities can become a very painful, permanent condition. If diagnosed early the toes can be easily straightened using special pads that hold the toes in the correct position, wearing roomy shoes or custom shoe inserts (orthopaedic devices) and doing physiotherapy. At a more advanced stage surgery may be required.
