What Are Mallet, Hammer, and Claw Toes?

Mallet, hammer, and claw toes are most often caused by wearing shoes that are too short or heels that are too high. This jams the toes against the front of the shoe and causes one or more joints to bend. Rarely, disease can cause the joints in the toes to bend. Mallet, hammer, and claw toes are among the most common toe problems. They occur most often in the longest of the four smaller toes.

Inside your toes

There are 3 bones in each of your 4 smaller toes. Where 2 bones connect is called a joint. Normally the toes lie flat. But pressure on the toes or the front of the foot can cause 1 or more joints to bend. This curls the toe. Toes that stay curled are called mallet toes, hammer toes, or claw toes, depending on which joints are bent.

With a mallet toe, the joint nearest the tip of the toe is bent.

With a hammer toe, the middle joint is bent.

With a claw toe, the joint at the base of the toe is bent up. The middle joint is bent down.