What causes hammer toes to happen?

Faulty mechanics: Causes the toes to buckle. It is largely hereditary with a bit of a boost occasionally coming from poor-fitting shoes.

Hammertoes: There are 3 different mechanisms in gait that causes hammertoes to occur- but basically there is an imbalance between the muscles that cause the toe to flex versus the ones that extend the toes. There are many congenital deviations from the norm that causes this to occur.

A contracted toe: A hammertoe is an contracture or a bending of the toe joint which results from a muscle or tendon imbalance due to the mechanical or structural changes in the foot. This can be hereditary or due to environmental factors such as tight shoes. This bending can lead to abnormal pressure distribution resulting in pain, swelling, blistering, and corns.

Bent toe.: People can get hammertoes several different ways, including just an unlucky roll of the genetic dice, but the fundamental result is usually the same: a toe that has drawn back and no longer sits straight or "flat". Sometimes it's only a tendon that holds the toe in that position, other times there's arthritis involved: these tend to be more rigid, and require surgery if you want them corrected.

Hammer toes: These are biomechanical deformities and sometimes genetic. See your podiatrist for an evaluation and explanation.