Hammertoes, Claw Toes, and Mallet Toes

Claw Toes
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.
What are Hammertoes?
If your toes are becoming bent or crooked, you may have hammertoes. The affliction is so named because the toes sometimes resemble the shape of a hammer. Patients will usually have pain at the top or at the end of the toe. Hammertoes often begin rubbing in shoes and as a result will become red and swollen. Sometimes hard tissue—known as a “corn”—will build on the top or end of the toe.
What are Mallet Toes
A mallet toe bends down at the joint closest to the tip of the toe. It often affects the second toe, but it may happen in the other toes too
Treatment
The podiatrist at our office will examine you and sometimes take an x-ray of your foot. Conservative treatment consists of padding, shaving off the corn (if one is present), and changing to shoes that don’t rub against the toes. For the appropriate patient, outpatient surgery can straighten the toe (or toes), and the patient can go home shortly after the procedure.