Related articles: Hammer finger
Definition
The hammer toe is a disorder of the foot or hand that affects, in particular, the terminal interphalangeal joint. It manifests through a deformity of the fingers, which take on a bent appearance at the central joint. The fingers show themselves superimposed or subjected with respect to the others, with different degrees.At the level of the hand, the deformation affects the index or middle finger more commonly, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th finger are involved in the foot. In the foot, due to the conflict with the footwear, the hammer toe is associated with pain and callousness, which in the most serious cases can ulcerate.
On most occasions, the hammer toe is caused by a traumatic event: the tendon that extends the third (distal) phalanx can stretch, break or become misaligned. The finger tip thus remains in a flexed position, making the extension impossible. At other times, the hammer toe may appear without apparent cause (idiopathic form).
Possible Causes * of Hammer Finger
- Hallux valgus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dupuytren's disease
- Hollow foot
- De Quervain syndrome
