Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Of Hammertoe

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.