Differences Among Hammer Toe Claw Toe and Mallet Toe
| Flexible Toe Deformity | MTP | Joint Position PIP | DIP | Surgical Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer toe | Uninvolved, neutral | Flexion | Uninvolved, neutral | Flexible—flexor to extensor transferFixed—hemiresection arthroplasty excision of distal portion of proximal phalanx |
| Claw toe | Fixed, extension | Fixed, flexion | Uninvolved, neutral or flexion | Resection of both sides of the PIP joint; joint dorsal capsulotomy and extensor tenotomy, flexor to extensor transfer |
| Mallet toe | Uninvolved, neutral | Uninvolved, neutral | Fixed, flexion | Excision of middle phalanx and/or flexor tenotomy if flexible |
DIP , Distal interphalangeal; MTP , metatarsophalangeal; PIP , proximal interphalangeal.
