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When a muscle imbalance in one or more of your toes (usually not the big toe) puts extra pressure on the toes, tendons and joints, it can force the toes to point down instead of out, forming an upside-down at the first joint. Women are more likely than men to get hammertoes, usually from wearing tight, pointy-toed shoes, although genetics and arthritis can also cause hammertoes.
Hammertoes can be a serious problem for people with diabetes or poor circulation, so people with these conditions should see a doctor at the first sign of trouble. There are two types of hammertoes: flexible and rigid. If the toe is still flexible at the joint, you may have several treatment options. If the joint becomes rigid, surgery is usually indicated.
Source: WebMD®
Wearing a shoe with a roomy toe box, like Z-CoiL® shoes, is important to reduce friction at the tops of your toes. A trained and authorized Z-CoiL® fitter can also stretch the upper above the toes to further accommodate hammertoes and any necessary orthotic appliances prescribed by a doctor.
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