Description: Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are deformities. The muscles that control toe movement go out of balance, causing the toe to bend into an odd position at one or more joints.

A hammer toe occurs when the longest toe (usually the second toe, next to the big toe) bends down toward the floor at the middle toe joint. The toe may bend up at the joint where the toe and foot meet, causing the middle toe joint to be raised slightly.

Claw toe often affects all toes (except the big toe) at the same time, causing them to bend downward at the middle joints and at the joints nearest the tip, so that the toes curl down toward the floor. The toes bend up at the joints where the toes and the foot meet. Claw toes are common in people with high arches.

Mallet toe often affects the second toe, but it may affect the other toes as well. The toe bends down at the joint closest to the tip.

These conditions are most often caused by tight, poorly fitting shoes, often in combination with a muscle imbalance.

 Footwear: The type of footwear worn is a very important step in the treatment. Buy low-heeled shoes with plenty of room in the front. This keeps the toes from being jammed against the end of the shoe. It also keeps the shoe from rubbing the tops of the toes. Shoes that narrow toward the toe may make your forefoot look smaller. But they also push the smaller toes into a flexed (bent) position. The toes rub against the shoe, leading to the formation of corns and calluses, which further aggravate the condition. A higher heel forces the foot down and squishes the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe. Eventually, the toe muscles become unable to straighten the toe, even when there is no confining shoe.  When choosing a shoe, make sure the  toe box (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the hammer toes. A shoe with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area so that there is less friction against the toes.

How can orthotics help? Orthotics help control the muscle/tendon imbalance. Orthotics allow the toes and major joints of the foot to function more efficiently.