Hammertoe & Mallet Toe: Overview

Foot deformities such as hammertoe and mallet toe occur when the balance between the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that keep the toe straight is disrupted. These conditions most commonly affect the second, third, and fourth toes.

What Happens in These Conditions?

  • Hammertoe: The toe bends abnormally at the middle joint.
  • Mallet toe: The bend occurs at the joint closest to the toenail.

These deformities can cause pain, difficulty moving the affected toe, and sometimes corns or calluses due to friction against footwear.

Symptoms

  • A visible bend in one or more toe joints
  • Pain or difficulty moving the affected toe
  • Corns and calluses caused by rubbing inside footwear

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek medical attention if:

  • Foot pain persists
  • A wound or ulcer develops
  • Walking becomes difficult

Causes

Several factors can trigger hammertoe or mallet toe, including:

Footwear

Tight shoes or high heels can force toes into a bent, unnatural position. Over time, this bent posture can become permanent.

Injury

Stubbing, jamming, or breaking a toe increases the likelihood of developing these deformities.

Medical Conditions

  • Diabetes can disrupt muscle balance in the toes.
  • Arthritis or nerve issues may also contribute.
  • Sometimes, heredity increases the risk.

Risk Factors

You may be more prone to hammertoe or mallet toe if you have:

  • Advancing age
  • Female gender
  • A second toe that is longer than the big toe
  • Arthritis, diabetes, or a family history of foot deformities

Complications

Initially, the toe may still be flexible. However, if not treated:

  • Tendons can tighten
  • The toe may become permanently bent
  • Painful corns and calluses may develop due to shoe friction

Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose the condition through:

  • Clinical examination
  • X-rays, if needed, to check bone and joint alignment

Treatment Options

The approach depends on whether the toe remains flexible:

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Switching to roomier, comfortable footwear
  • Using orthotic inserts or pads to reposition and reduce pressure
  • Toe exercises such as:
    • Picking up marbles
    • Scrunching a towel with your toes

These methods help strengthen and stretch toe muscles.

Surgical Treatment

If conservative approaches fail:

  • A procedure may be done to release the tight tendon
  • In some cases, a small piece of bone is removed to help straighten the toe