Toe Deformities PatientPlus

Description: There are three main forms of toe abnormalities in the human foot:
* Claw toes
* Hammer toes
* Mallet toes
A claw toe involves abnormal positions of all three joints in the toe. It consists of an extension contracture with dorsal subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, together with flexion deformities of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (P/DIP) joints. A hammer toe shows extension of the metatarsophalangeal joints and the distal interphalangeal joints. The proximal interphalangeal joints are hyperflexed. A mallet toe shows flexed distal interphalangeal joint, most commonly of the second toe.