Claw toes, mallet and hammer. What are, causes and treatments of these deformities of the toes

The claw, mallet or hammer toes are a deformities that occur in the toes (except in the hallux or big toe). These 4 remaining fingers are made up of 3 bones (as opposed to the two bones that make up the big toe) and by several Joints (which are the union of two bones).

 

When the joints bend or flex more than usual (from continued pressure on the toes or the ball of the foot), this is when these deformities form and develop.

 

 

Next, we analyze in depth each one of them, as well as the causes, symptom y Treatments.

 

TYPES OF DEFORMITIES: Claw, Mallet, and Hammer Toes

 

There are different types of deformities. depending on the joint that is affected. We mainly differentiate these three:

 

MALLET FINGER

The flexed joint is closest to the fingertip.

HAMMER FINGER

The flexed joint is the medium.

 

Claw Finger

In this type there is hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint and proximal and distal interphalangeal joint flexion.

 

 

on the fingers in claw and on the fingers hammer you have to differentiate between two types:

 

• Flexible. It is that deformity in which when manipulating the finger, when this pathology begins to appear, we can achieve your extension/flexion.
• Rigid. It is the one in which we cannot correct the deformity by extending the finger.

 

These deformities can coexist, such that a patient can have claw, mallet, and hammer toes at the same time.

 

 

 

 

SYMPTOMS OF Claw, Mallet, and Hammer Toes

 

El main symptom of these three types are your deformation, but it is possible that the patient does not perceive the pathology since the fingers drift slowly and it is not reflected aesthetically until some time has passed. There are other signs that can alert us that we suffer from them:

 

• Hardness y Calluses on the back or at the base of the finger.
• Pulpejo of the affected fingers produced by the excessive friction with footwear.
• Inflammation of the interphalangeal joints.
• Pain in the practice of sport.
• Pain in the toe area, which bothers when performing daily activities such as walking uphill or downhill.

 

 

CAUSE OF Claw, Mallet and Hammer Fingers

 

1. CONGENITAL ORIGIN

One of the causes of these deformities, although not the most common, is its congenital origin. In the event of this circumstance, can be diagnosed early. The podiatrist will advise the patient on the shoes should use and the most appropriate treatments to solve the problem.

 

2. IMPROPER FOOTWEAR

Most of the patients who come to our queries and suffer these deformations use inappropriate footwear that compress the fingers, like shoes heel, very narrow or very tight toe, which cause a imbalance in tendons and muscles of the foot favoring the formation of this deformity.

 

This type of inadequate footwear directly influences the development and evolution of this pathology

 

 

3. MUSCULAR OR JOINT PROBLEMS

Another cause that can cause claw toes derives from muscle or joint problems produced by Juanetes, cavus feet, flat feet, valgus feet o injuries that have affected the shape of the bone. These types of feet are the most likely to have this problem.

 

HOW ARE THEY DIAGNOSED Claw, Mallet and Hammer fingers?

 

The podiatrist in consultation, through a physical exploration, you will be able to affirm this diagnostic suspicion of claw, mallet or hammer toe by observe the flexion of the finger.

 

It is recommended to perform an X-ray to know in detail the degree of involvement of the joint

 

 

On the other hand, it is also advisable to do a complete biomechanical study of gait and footfall. In this way, in motion, the podiatrist will observe the deformity of the finger and more accurately determine the degree of the problem.

 

When there is an unstable gait, the toes tend to deform in order to "grab" the ground to improve foot stability.

 

TREATMENTS FOR THIS TOE DEFORMITY

 

Regarding the Treatments, there are different types depending on the degree of deformity and stiffness (It is not the same to treat a “flexible” deformity than a “rigid” deformity). Next, we list the most used:

 

CUSTOM INSOLES

El use of custom templates helps stabilize the foot and prevent toe deformity. Sometimes, these pathologies derive from an incorrect way of walking of a person.

 

STRETCHES

El stretching of the extensor and flexor muscles It is recommended to avoid stiffening of the joints.

 

Performing the exercises indicated by the podiatrist will be essential to prevent the problem from getting worse

 

 

SILICONE ORTHOSES

El use of silicone orthosis as help to correct, palliate and stop the progression of the deformity. This treatment can be decisive in stages of life such as childhood and adolescence, since the deformity will be flexible and signs and symptoms may be reduced.

 

CORRECT FOOTWEAR

It is recommended to use footwear adequate size, wide last and comfortable to prevent the fingers from being squeezed inside. In addition, it is recommended avoid high heels and narrow toe, as far as possible.

 

SURGERY

The above treatments are conservatives, used when the deformity is in a “flexible” degree. The Surgical treatment it will occur in more severe and “rigid” cases, when no improvement is obtained in a conservative manner.

 

Surgery definitively ends these deformities since it corrects the underlying problem. The podiatrist will decide when it is necessary, according to each case.

 

In general, in this type of surgery the patient is operated and does not require hospital admission, thus being able to go home the day of surgery. You will be able to support your foot from the day of surgery using a special post-surgical footwear that will be removed around 3 weeks.

 

The patient will get a full recovery around a month after surgery and you can resume your sport activity around a month and a half and two months after surgery.

 

 

Do you have or do you think you have claw/mallet or hammer toes? At Podoactiva we can help you. Consult your nearest Podoactiva clinic HERE or contact us at 974 231 280 or Traves de info@podoactiva.com.

 

 

Natalia Garcia and Maria Herreros

Podoactiva podiatrists