Hammer toe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe in which the toe is permanently bent at the middle joint. A common cause is poorly fitting footwear, but the condition can also result from injury, bunions, or rheumatoid arthritis.
A hammer toe often develops a painful corn or callus on the bent joint and can also cause stress on the ball of the foot, which may lead to metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot).
A protective pad over the bent joint can ease pressure on the toe and relieve pain. Surgery to straighten the toe may be recommended in severe cases

Othere related diseases

GANGLION
A ganglion is a fluid-filled cyst that develops under the skin near a joint or tendon—most commonly on the wrist or back of the hand, but sometimes on the foo...

HAMMER TOE
Hammer toe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe in which the toe is permanently bent at the middle joint. A common cause is poorly fitting footwea...

ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME
The iliotibial band is a thick band of tissue that runs from the pelvis down the outside of the femur (thigh bone) to just below the knee, where it connects to ...

JOINT INSTABILITY
Normally, the bones, ligaments, and muscles of a joint work together to support the various parts of the joint in their correct positions while also allowing th...

LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) both occur when the tendon attachment of the muscle to the bone at the elbow be...

LIGAMENT SPRAINS
Ligaments are bands of tissue that hold bones together at a joint. They are not very stretchy and are prone to tearing, especially when subjected to sudden forc...

METATARSALGIA
Pain in the ball of the foot—metatarsalgia— is commonly due to excessive pressure on the ball of the foot from high-impact sports, poorly fitting footwear, ...

MUSCLE CRAMPS
Sudden muscle spasms in which a muscle or group of muscles becomes hard, painful, and tight often occur during physical exercise. Another common cause is sittin...