Hammer toe is often caused by wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes. Diabetic muscular nerve damage may also be an underlying factor. The posture fault can also be related to a high-arched foot or bunion.
In this posture fault the toes bend at one or both of the toe joints. The deformity leads to abnormal pressure and friction on the tip of the toe. This typically leads to forming of calluses at the tip of the hammer toe. The nail may also grow thicker.
The treatment of hammer toe involves wearing good shoes with enough space for the toes. It is also essential to relieve pressure. If necessary, it is possible to have surgery to correct the posture fault.