What do you know about Hammer, Claw and Mallet Toes?

1. Match the problem with the meaning:

1. The toe bends down toward the floor at the middle toe joint causing the middle toe joint to rise up.

2. The toe bends down at the joint closest to the tip of the toe.

3. The toes bend up at the joint where the toes and foot meet, and bend down at the middle joints and at the joints nearest the tip of the toes. This causes the toes to curl downward.

A. Hammer Toe

B. Claw Toe

C. Mallet Toe

2. These toe problems are linked with all of the following conditions. What is the most common?

A. Diabetes

B. Rheumatoid Arthritis

C. Foot or ankle injury

D. Tight shoes

3. Which of the following is not a symptom of hammer, claw and mallet toes?

A. Bent toe

B. Pain

C. Fungus

D. Irritation from footwear

4. True or False? In severe cases, these toe problems may affect your balance.

5. Which is more likely to require surgery?

A. Fixed Joint

B. Flexible Joint

6. The following are two types of surgery used to correct these toe problems. Match the surgical procedure with what it is.

1. Phalangeal head resection

2. Arthrodesis

A. Removing part of the toe bone

B. Removing part of the joint and letting the toe bones grow together.

Check out all the answers in the comments below!

Image by photologue_np. Question Mark. (2013). Flickr.