Causes and Risk Factors

In most cases, toe deformities are caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot. Flat feet (pes planus), traumatic injuries, and underlying diseases may increase the risk for claw toes and hammertoes. Diseases and conditions that increase the risk include neuromuscular diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, cerebral palsy), inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis), and diabetes.