Hammer, Claw and Mallet Toes

Toes that are bent in odd ways and/or hurt should not be ignored. Hammer, claw and mallet toes may be treatable without surgery if caught early. It is best to get a physical examination and it is important to discuss with your physician the kinds of shoes you wear, how much time is spent walking/standing per day, any pain in the feet, and when you first noticed the problem. Common toe problems include:

Hammer Toes

A hammer toe bends down at the middle joint causing the joint to rise up.

Claw Toes

Claw toes bend up at the joint where the toes meet the foot, bend down at the middle joint, and bend down at the joint in the tip of the toe, causing toes to bend downward.

Mallet Toes

A mallet toe bends down at the joint in the tip of the toe.

These toe problems likely will appear in the four smaller toes, not the big toe, and they are most commonly due to tight shoes. If toe muscles are forced to stay in a bent position for too long, over time straightening the toe will become harder.

Image by Quinn Mattingly. Toes. (2007). Flickr.