Mallet Toe

Summary

A mallet toe is a type of hammer toe. The term mallet toe comes from the way the distal tip of the toe hits, or hammers, on the floor with each step. Mallet toes differ from other hammer toes in the location of the primary deformity. The primary deformity seen in a hammer toe is found at the PIPJ (proximal interphalangeal joint) which is the first, or more proximal, of the two joints of the toe. A mallet toe, on the other hand, is a similar deformity but is found in the DIPJ (distal interphalangeal joint.) Mallet toes can be present in any one of the toes or all of the toes simultaneously. Mallet toe is most common in adults and found equally in men and women.

For more information on hammer toes and mallet toes, please visit our pages on hammer toes.

Last Update: January 14, 2021.

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