Can Hammer Toe Cause Plantar Fasciitis? While hammer toe and plantar fasciitis are separate foot conditions, they can sometimes coexist, potentially exacerbating foot discomfort. Hammer toe, a common foot deformity, affects the smaller toes' middle joint, causing them to bend downward instead of pointing forward. This abnormal positioning leads to pain, stiffness, and difficulty wearing certain footwear. While muscle imbalances often cause hammer toe, it can also result from genetics, … [Read more...]