As your foot flattens, the little toes bend to grip the ground. Then they straighten, acting like levers to push your foot so you can walk, run or dance. But if the front of your foot is wide, you may develop a problem know as a hammertoe. Joints at the end or middle of the toe, as well as the joint near the ball of the foot may be affected. Toe joints usually curl because of a muscle imbalance, or tight tendons.
Hammertoes vary in severity and in the number of joints involved.
Hammertoes may be flexible or rigid, depending on the joint's ability to move. A flexible joint may become more rigid as you age. You can straighten a flexible hammer toe with your fingers. Although they look painful, a flexible hammer toe may not hurt. A rigid hammer toe cannot be moved.