Patients often refer to all forms of toe abnormalities as a hammer toe (abnormal contraction or "buckling" of a toe). There are in fact four main forms of toe abnormalities, hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes and trigger toes, which can form on your feet regardless of age or sex.

The main causes of hammer toes are:

• A muscle imbalance from an unnatural walk, though genetics can also play a role their development
• A bunion on your big toe forcing your second toe into a cramped position
• High-arched feet where the tendon on the top of the foot pulls back on the toes
• Incorrect fitting shoes that put pressure on the toes in an unnatural way
• Stiff foot tendons that prohibits a toe from resting flat
• A very long second toe
• Flat feet

The easiest way to avoid developing hammertoes, especially if you have flat feet, is to make sure your shoes have a wide toe box and appropriate orthotics / insoles. Shoes that provide extra depth and more room help relieve the pressure put on feet from standing and walking.

Other ways to treat hammertoes include:

• Make sure that stockings, tights and socks are not too constrictive
• Non-medicated pads may relieve pressure away from corns and hard skin
• Applying an appropriate moisturizing cream will help to keep the skin soft
• Purchase high quality silicone products such as the silicone 2foot2 Toe Props to help cure this condition
• A silicone toe prop will prevent the toe from contracting any further
• If your hammertoes are from flat feet, shoe inserts and orthotics can help provide support, encouraging the muscles to work together

Our recommended products are listed below which are designed to offer the support and correction that you need to help ease and rectify this condition.

Please be advised that if you have hammertoes, and your toes look severely bent and cannot be straightened without treatment, surgery may be required. See a podiatrist for a consultation.