A Heel Spur or contracted toe is a deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second, third, or fourth toe causing it to be permanently bent, resembling a hammer. The causes of kidney infections include strep bacteria, pneumonia, syphilis, malaria, hepatitis, measles, diabetes and urinary tract infections. A hammertoe is a bent or contracted toe. This would mean my toe would still touch the ground as I walked, to help me balance, and wouldn't protrude upwards into my shoe leather. I had the 20-minute operation in May under general anaesthetic, and wore a special shoe afterwards to protect my foot - it had an open front like a sandal to keep pressure off the toe. Both of these procedures are common in the adult patient for the correction of hammertoe deformity If skin contracture is present a derotational skin plasy may be required. When one of the central toes is involved the second toe is most commonly affected. When surgical correction is warranted a skin plasty is required to release the contracture of the skin associated with the deformity. Additionally a tendon release and a release of the soft tissues about the joint at the base of the fifth toe may be required. In severe cases the toe may require the placement of a pin to hold the toe in a straightened position. Hammertoes are described in depth in another article. The bones at the ends are called the distal (meaning farthest away) phalanges, the ones in the middle (not present in the big toes) are called the middle phalanges, and the ones closest to the other bones of the feet are called the proximal (or nearest) phalanges. As you walk, the joints that connect these bones, held together by muscles, ligaments and tendons, flex each time you take a step. Essentially, hammertoes are caused by an abnormal interworking of the bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons that comprise your feet. Dr. Shumate, after assessing your foot function, may recommend orthoses or insoles to help relieve foot pain and discomfort. Here is some information regarding people's feet and how some lifestyle changes & exercises can benefit their foot health. Patients with a long toe may pain associated with the tip of the toe. Excessive pressure from shoes may result in the formation of a hardened portion of skin (corn or callus) on the tip of the toe. A buckled long toe (hammer toe) can also have pain and callus formation over the toe knuckles. The pain may be dull and mild or severe and sharp. Following removal of the pin splinting of the toe may be required for an additional two to three weeks. Another common digital deformity is contracture of the toes in the formation of hammertoes and mallet toes. Mallet toes are a result of contracture of the last joint in the toe. Over time the deformity becomes rigid and a callus may form on the skin overlying the joint at the end of the toe. Additionally the toenail may become thickened and deformed form the repetitive jamming of the toe while walking. The deformity usually involves one or two toes, with the second toe most commonly affected. Longer toes that are forced against a short toe box in the shoe will, over time, develop a contracture of the last joint in the toe causing a mallet toe. Conservative treatment consists of padding and strapping the toes into a corrected position. When standing, the toe will demonstrate a contracture, with the tip of the toe facing downward into the floor. This forces the toe into a claw-like position.