Toe joint deformities

Toe joint deformities

Hammer toe

Hammer toe showing the middle toe joint bent up
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slide 1 of 3, Hammer toe,

A hammer toe bends down at the middle toe joint (proximal interphalangeal joint, or PIP joint). The toe may bend up at the joint where the foot and toe meet (metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTP joint) causing the middle toe joint to be raised slightly.

There may also be a deformity at the joint near the tip of the toe (distal interphalangeal joint, or DIP joint).

Claw toe

A claw toe showing the toe curled up
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slide 2 of 3, Claw toe,

A claw toe bends up at the joint where the foot and the toe meet (metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTP joint). The toe bends down at the middle joint (proximal interphalangeal, or PIP joint) and at the joint near the tip of the toe (distal interphalangeal joint, or DIP joint) causing the toe to curl down.

Mallet toe

A mallet toe bent down at the joint near the tip of the toe
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slide 3 of 3, Mallet toe,

A mallet toe bends down at the joint near the tip of the toe, called the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint.

Current as of: July 1, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Gavin W.G. Chalmers DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery