Which deformity causes the toes to contract into a permanent curl due to tightening of muscles underneath the toe?

• A. Hammertoe
• B. Claw toe
• C. Tailor's bunion/bunionette
• D. Foot drop/Drop foot

Answer: (A)

Hammer toe occurs when the toe’s flexor muscles underneath the toe tighten and pull the toe into a permanent flexion, typically at the proximal interphalangeal joint, often with the metatarsophalangeal joint slightly hyperextended. This muscle imbalance causes the toe to stay curled rather than straighten with movement. It’s distinguished from other toe deformities by this pattern of flexion at the PIP joint driven by the plantar flexor group, whereas claw toe involves flexion at multiple joints due to different intrinsic muscle issues, mallet toe is flexion at the DIP only, tailors bunion is a bump at the fifth MTP, and foot drop refers to difficulty dorsiflexing the foot.