Bunions form when the big toe is forced in the direction of the second toe. ![]() A long second toe, for example, may be forced into a bent position by an improperly fitted shoe. With long-term use, the toe muscles weaken and lose the ability to straighten the toe.Ī combination of other factors can also increase the risk of hammertoe, including anatomical problems, bunions (hallux valgus), MTP joint instability, and previous toe trauma. They force the toes down against the narrow toe box and increase the bend in the toe. High-heeled shoes increase the pressure placed on the ball of the foot and the toes. The condition can be aggravated by the feet rubbing against a small toe box (the part of the shoe that accommodates the toes), which can also lead to the formation of corns and calluses. Shoes that narrow toward the toes cause crowding of the smaller toes and push them into a flexed (bent) position. Shoes that narrow toward the toes, that have high heels, or that are too small are the common culprits. The most-common cause of hammertoe is the long-term use of poorly fitting shoes. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. In patients with decreased sensation in the feet, such as persons with diabetes mellitus or persons born with myelomeningocele (a type of spina bifida), there is a risk of ulceration (development of lesions) and infection at the pressure points involved in hammertoe. The ball of the foot may also be painful, and a painful callus may form on the sole of the foot from chronic stress caused by the partial or complete dislocation from the joint of the proximal phalanx (the toe bone that connects to the rest of the foot). A painful callus can also develop at the end of the toe, just below the tip of the toenail or on the top of the toe. The corn results from chronic pressure that forces the toe to buckle and from chronic friction that irritates the skin. The skin on the dorsal surface of the PIP joint (the top of the middle toe joint) can become painful owing to the development of a hard corn. ![]() Hammertoe tends to produce pain in specific areas of the foot. Fixed deformities do not allow repositioning and generally require surgery to be corrected. However, over time the tendons may tighten and can become permanently stiff. ![]() Flexible deformities can be manipulated through therapy such that the affected joint is moved back into a neutral position. Initially, the affected toe maintains flexibility. Hammertoe tends to be associated with hyperextension of the MTP joint as well as with having a second toe that is longer than the big toe. How much do you know about human anatomy? How about medical conditions? The brain? You’ll need to know a lot to answer 44 of the hardest questions from Britannica’s most popular quizzes about health and medicine. SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.Britannica Beyond We’ve created a new place where questions are at the center of learning.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.From tech to household and wellness products. Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.
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