Hammer, Claw and Mallet Toes
Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are deformities of the feet which cause the toes to assume an unusual shape or structure.
What causes hammer, claw and mallet toes?
Excessively tight, poorly fitting shoes are the most common cause of toe deformity. Shoes that are too short or heels that are too high can force the foot against the front of your shoe, resulting in an unnatural bending of your toe.
Aside from wearing crowded shoes, toe deformities may also result from muscle and nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, caused by conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.
What are the symptoms?
Pain, pressure, and discomfort of the foot are the most common symptoms of hammer, claw, and mallet toe.
A hammer toe typically manifests as a toe that bends downward at the middle toe joint, causing the joint to ascend. This usually occurs in the second, third, or fourth toe.
Claw toe most frequently occurs in any of the four smaller toes. The toes may bend and arch at the joints where the toes and the foot meet, causing the toes to curl downward, resembling a claw.
Mallet toe is caused by a bending of the joint closest to the tip of the toe.
Toe deformities are often associated with secondary problems such as corns and calluses. In the most severe cases, these toe problems may affect your balance and make it difficult or painful to walk.
What are the treatment and prevention measures?
Wearing flexible, roomy footwear with ample space for the toes is the first step in preventing and treating hammer, claw, or mallet toes. Foot orthotics and physical therapy can also help to correct toe deformity without the need for surgery.
