A hammertoe can develop on any toe. However, when the little toe develops into a hammertoe, it may seem different than the others. A fifth toe hammertoe bends the toenail around such that it appears on the side of the foot rather than the top. It shifts in position and puts pressure on the toe, making it unpleasant.
The twisting of a fifth toe increases the pressure between the fifth and fourth toes, resulting in a buildup of dead skin or soft corn. It becomes unpleasant when wearing closed shoes. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, surgery is done to realign the toe, relieve pressure, and remove the soft corns.