A hammertoe (curled toes that have the shape of a hammer) may be flexible or rigid, and may occur on any of the lesser toes. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe's joints to buckle, cocking the toe upward. Shoes then rub on the prominent portion of the toe, leading to inflammation, irritation, pain, corns and calluses.

RIGID HAMMER TOES
A rigid hammer toe is fixed; you can no longer straighten the buckled joint with your hand. corns, irritation, pain, and loss of function may be more severe for rigid hammer toes than for flexible ones. Fortunately, several treatments are avaibable, including available, fusion, or insertion of an implant.

TREATMENT
A portion of the joint is surgically removed and the toe is straightened. The "gap" fills in with fibrous tissue.