Toe joint deformities
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 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 bends down at the joint near the tip of the toe, called the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint.
Current as of: July 24, 2025
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
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