toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Hammer, Claw, and Mallet Toes

Top of the page

Hammer, Claw, and Mallet Toes

Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are toes that bend into an odd position at one or more joints. This can be painful. They are most often caused by wearing tight shoes, which can cause the toe muscles to get out of balance.

  • A hammer toe bends down toward the floor at the middle toe joint. This causes the middle toe joint to rise up. It usually happens in the second toe.
  • Claw toe often affects the four smaller toes at the same time. The toes bend up at the joint where the toes and the foot meet. They bend down at the middle joints and at the joints nearest the tip of the toes. This causes the toes to curl down toward the floor.
  • A mallet toe bends down at the joint closest to the tip of the toe.

You may be able to fix your toe with home treatment. If you don't treat the problem right away, you are more likely to need surgery.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more, visit Healthwise.org

© 1995- Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Your Partner in Health.

People are at the heart of great health care. That's why we are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care tailored to the communities we serve. 


Together with our community partners and patients, we're building a stronger, healthier future for all Idahoans.

Connect with Us
Contact Us In Meridian (208) 706-5000