What is a hammertoe?
Short answer: A hammertoe is a bend through the middle joint of a lesser toe, most often the second, third or fourth toe. The deformity may begin flexible and gradually become fixed.
The toe’s small joints, tendons and muscles normally balance one another. When that balance changes, the toe can lift at its base and bend at the proximal interphalangeal joint. The raised joint then rubs on footwear, while the tip or ball of the foot may carry extra pressure.
Hammertoe is a structural deformity, not simply a corn. A corn is thickened skin caused by repeated pressure. Removing the corn can relieve symptoms temporarily, but it does not necessarily correct the underlying position or bony prominence.