Hammer toe
Hammer toe is the term used to describe the condition where the first joint between the toe and the metatarsal bone behind it - the metatarso-phalangeal joint - is hyper extended (so the first part of the toe points upwards). The first of the joints in the toe (called interphalangeal joints, and since this is the nearest one to the body it's a proximal interphalangeal joint) is hyper flexed (so the second part of the toe points downwards) and then the next joint (called the distal interphalangeal joint, because it's the one of further away from the body) is again hyper extended, so the last part of the toe points upwards. While any toe can be affected, it’s usually the second toe, which is often longer than the others. It's due both to an imbalance between the tension in the tendons that extend and flex the joints, and to pressure from footwear. Surgery may be required to correct the deformity if there is pain. When the situation arises where the last joint in the toe is flexed rather than extended, the toe points downwards and the condition is called claw toes (because they resemble claws). This can cause irritation and ulceration of the first joint in the toes where they’re pushed up against the shoes. If chiropody and attention to footwear do not solve the problem, surgery may be required.
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