What. causes a hammer toe?

Footwear: Hammertoe and mallet toe are two foot deformities that occur most often in women who wear high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box. These types of footwear may force your toes against the front of the shoe, causing an unnatural bending.

Flexor tendons: Overpowering extensor tendons, genetics, small shoes...

Hammertoe: Hammertoes are caused by an imbalance in the muscle tendons that cause the toes to move up and down. One tendon pulls the toe up while the other tendon deforms the toe by pulling it down at the joints in the toe. Your podiatrist can establish by radiographs and by examinaion what specifically causes your hammertoe problem. Surgical intervention may be indicated if the condition is painful.

Imbalance : Digital deformities are generally due to musculotendinous imbalance. One tendon is pulling harder than another and the toe is pulled crooked. Improving foot mechanics with foot orthotics can help. Toe straightening gadgets rarely work. Surgery can straighten the toe when irritation and pain are present.

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.

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.