The term hammer toe refers to a common deformity of the foot in
which either the second, third, or fourth toe is bent at the
middle joint, so that the tip of the toe is bent downward while
the middle of the toe is cocked upward resembling a hammer. The
hammer toe deformity is the most common deformity of the small
toes. When a hammer toe first develops, it can be bent back into
its normal position. If not treated, a hammer toe may become
rigid and require surgical correction in order to correct the
deformity. Symptoms and signs associated with hammer toe include
corns or calluses on the affected toe and pain in the affected
area. It may be difficult for people suffering from hammer toe
to find comfortable shoes. A common cause of hammer toe is
wearing shoes that do not fit properly. Poorly-fitting shoes can
hold the toes in an abnormal position and result in tightening
of the muscles required to maintain that position. In
particular, shoes that have high heels and are narrow at front
tend to push the toes int