Understanding Lesser Toe Deformities
What are Lesser Toe deformities?
Lesser toe deformities are changes in the shape affecting your second, third, fourth, or fifth toes. Basically, it's your four small toes but not your big toe.
They can cause pain, discomfort, and body-confidence issues.
The four smaller toes on your feet are commonly affected; the joint affected relates to the name it's given, such as hammer toe, claw toe, mallet toe, or overlapping toe.
These can impact life through pain, discomfort, and mobility.
Types of Lesser-Toe Deformities
Hammer Toe
This lesser toe deformity occurs when the toe's middle joint becomes bent, resembling a hammer. Hammer toe can lead to pain, corns, and difficulty finding comfortable shoes.
Claw Toe
As the name suggests, claw toe causes the toes to curl downward like a claw. For more information, read our Claw Toe Information Sheet.
Mallet Toe
Here, the tip of the toe bends downwards, giving it a mallet-like appearance. Mallet toes can be caused by trauma, ill-fitting footwear, or arthritis, and they can lead to painful calluses. For more information, read our Mallet Toe Information Sheet.
Causes and Risk Factors
These deformities tend to occur over time but are sometimes caused by trauma. Bunions, arthritis, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, foot shape, and lifestyle choices like footwear can lead to lesser toe deformities.
As these conditions tend to develop over time, prompt treatment can prevent the severity of lesser toe deformities and the impact on your lifestyle from pain, discomfort, and body confidence.
If you are affected by lesser toe deformities and would like more information on treatments available,
