Diseases and Conditions

Hammertoe and mallet toe

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of hammertoe and mallet toe include:

  • Age. The risk of hammertoe and mallet toe increases with age.
  • Sex. Women are much more likely to develop hammertoe or mallet toe than are men.
  • Toe length. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, it's at higher risk of hammertoe or mallet toe.
  • Certain diseases. Arthritis and diabetes might make you more prone to developing foot deformities. Heredity might also play a role.