Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Of Hammertoe

Abnormal Toe Muscle Balance

The mechanism of what causes a hammertoe to develop can be best described as an abnormal toe muscle balance. The three components that contribute to this malfunction are the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bone. A tendon is a type of tissue that is thick and fibrous, and functions to attach the muscle to bone. On the other hand, a ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that functions to connect bone to bone. A muscle is the stretchy, flexible form of organized connective tissue responsible for the movement of the bones. The hammertoe deformity is the result of the malfunction of the mechanism the toe uses to move its middle joint. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the toe have to sustain equal strength balance for an individual to move them correctly. However, when there is a factor that disrupts this strength balance, the muscles can no longer appropriately control these toe movements. As a result of this malfunction, the toe gets stuck in place when the tendons and ligaments become too tight. This chain reaction occurs that causes less movement of the toe, which leads to further muscle weakening. Eventually, a hammertoe develops, and the individual is not able to move the toe at the middle joint.

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Arthritis

Some forms of arthritis can increase an individual's risk of developing a hammertoe as a complication of their disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes an individual's immune system to attack the healthy tissues of their joints inappropriately. The result is an inflammatory response in the synovium or tissue that functions to line the interior of an individual's joints. The synovium becomes abnormally thick, causing intense pain and severe swelling inside and around the patient's affected joints. The synovium functions to produce a lubricant fluid for the joints that allows them to move smoothly. A rheumatoid arthritis patient may have inflammation that frequently occurs in the joints of the feet, including the toes. The swelling that occurs with the inflammation in the toes can cause damage to muscle, ligaments, or tendons. When these components that work together to move the toe become damaged, the strength balance of the muscles can become impaired. This disruption triggers the process that leads to a hammertoe.

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