The hammertoes also known as hammertoes or mallet fingers are a deformity in which one or more toes flex and bend acquiring the appearance of a claw.

This problem usually affects the second toe, but can also affect other, so that the smallest bend and squeeze together causing serious problems walking and continuous colors and very annoying.

The joint half toe is bent. The final part of the toe bends down into a claw-like deformity. At first, you can move and straighten the finger, but over time, you can not do it and hurt.

Often, a callus forms on the top of the toe and is detected callus on the sole of the foot.

Walking or wearing shoes can be painful.

A physical examination of the foot will confirm if you have hammer toe. The doctor may detect decreased or pain on movement of the toes.

This problem can begin in childhood and can be caused by hereditary abnormality in the alignment of the metatarsal bones and the joint excessively long.

However, it may occur in adulthood and is usually caused because the shoe does not fit properly. This problem is more common in people who use high heels, because the weight is distributed unevenly between the toes.

The hammertoe can also occur as a result of muscle and nerve deterioration that occurs for example in cases of diabetes, stroke, neurological disorders, by shortening the Achilles' heel or weakness of tibialis anterior, whose tendons cross the back foot. In many cases, this problem is associated with calli, arthritis and obesity.

• Use shoes that fit well and keep in mind that your feet grow with age, so you have to change them as soon as you feel a bit crowded.
• Buy shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are a little swollen for work in the morning.
• Avoid wearing high heels and sharp every day.
• Walking barefoot as long as possible.
• Wear shoes with straps in case of developing hammertoes, not press more than they should.