Your hammer toe likely hurts because the bent joint rubs against the inside of your shoe, leading to several potential issues.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of why hammer toes cause pain:
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Friction and Pressure: The deformed joint of a hammer toe protrudes, causing increased friction and pressure against your shoe, especially on the top of the toe.
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Inflammation: This constant rubbing irritates the skin and underlying tissues, leading to inflammation.
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Corns and Calluses: As a protective mechanism, your body may develop corns (smaller, concentrated areas of thickened skin) or calluses (larger, more diffuse areas of thickened skin) on the hammer toe. These, in turn, can become painful themselves due to pressure.
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Skin Irritation and Breakdown: The persistent friction can also lead to:
- Grazes and Sores: The skin may become raw and break down, resulting in open sores.
- Friction Burns: Similar to rug burns, the constant rubbing can damage the skin.
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Increased Risk of Infection: Open sores and breaks in the skin create entry points for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.
Therefore, the pain associated with hammer toes is often a result of the combined effects of pressure, friction, inflammation, and potential skin damage or infection.
