Hammer, claw, and mallet toe refers to toes that are bent into an abnormal position. As the bone structure of the toes change, the muscles that control the toes get out of balance and cause the toes to bend into an odd position at one or more joints. Joints that connect the toe bones, and are affected by hammer, claw, and mallet toe include:
Defining these three joints will help you understand the differences between hammer, claw, and mallet toe.
Hammer Toe deformity is when the first joint (MTP) shifts upward, and the middle joint (PIP) bends downward. Hammer toe usually affects the second toe, and they often occur with bunions.
Claw Toe deformity is when the first joint (MTP joint) shifts upward, and both the middle joint (PIP joint) and the joint closest to the tip of the toe (DIP joint) bend downward, like a claw.
Mallet Toe deformity is when the joint closest to the tip of the toe (DIP joint) bends downward. It most often affects the second toe, but can affect all four of the small toes.
Ill-fitting footwear is the most common cause of hammer, claw, and mallet toe. Wearing shoes that are too tight can negatively affect the muscles and tendons in the toe causing deformities. Toes that are squished day after day become fixed in that position and will not straighten out.Other common causes include:
Hammer, claw, and mallet toe are visibly noticeable conditions. In addition to the toes looking odd, symptoms may include:
Treatment depends on how far along in the process the toe deformity is. If caught early, conditions affecting the toe joints can be treated easily without surgery.
If the toe deformity is severe enough, your physician may recommend surgery. Surgery is typically recommended if conservative treatment fails to control your pain, if the toe limits your daily activity, or if you are unable to move the toe joint. The type of surgery used to correct toe deformities is determined by the whether or not the toe joint is fixed or flexible. Surgery to correct fixed toe problems involve adjusting the bones in the toe. Surgery to correct flexible toe problems involve moving tendons to release tension on the joint, allowing the toe to straighten.Surgery procedures include one or more of the following:
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