The foot has a big toe and 4 small toes. The big toe has 2 bones and 1 joint, whereas the small toes have 3 bones and 2 joints. Toe deformities are common problems that occur due to inadequate biomechanics and diseases, such as Diabetes, affecting these little bones and tissues of the foot. The most common toe deformities are hammertoes, claw toes and mallet toes.

Hammertoes: the toe is bent at the middle joint leading to curling of the toe. Hammer toe is commonly seen in the second toe. Bunions or Hallux valgus are usually associated with a hammertoe of the second toe.

Claw toes: they show an upward bending at the base of the toe followed by the toe bending downwards. This deformity is typically present in stroke patients, neurologic conditions and diabetes.

Mallet toe: similar to hammer toe except that the joint involved is the upper joint instead of the middle joint.

Toe deformities can be present at birth or later in life from wearing ill- fitted shoes or high heeled shoes. Also, certain conditions such as Diabetes, Stroke, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis, affect the functioning of muscles and nerves. This causes tightening of the tendons and ligaments resulting in these deformities.

The symptoms associated with hammertoe, claw toe and mallet toe are similar and include:

• Feeling pain while wearing shoes

• Difficulty finding comfortable shoes

• Calluses

Toe deformities are simply diagnosed by a physical examination of the foot. X-rays will most likely be requested to further assess the anatomy of the foot.

Initially, conservative treatment is offered. This includes shoe modifications to accommodate the toes. If the deformity is flexible, toe depressors or toe spacers can be used. Once the deformity becomes rigid, a wider box toe shoe is recommended. It will be advised to avoid wearing tight, narrow, or high heeled shoes. Analgesics will also be recommended.

Surgical treatment is recommended if conservative treatment fails. This surgery is usually performed with keyhole technique, but in some cases, open traditional surgery must be performed. The surgery consists of releasing tendons and/or locking the small joints of the toes. The main objective of the surgery is to restore normal toe alignment and return the foot to normal pain-free function.