[1] Mallet toe is a similar condition affecting the distal interphalangeal joint.

[1] Toe deformities can also be caused by muscle, nerve, or joint damage, resulting from conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, complex regional pain syndrome or diabetes.

Hammer toe can also be found in Friedreich's ataxia (GAA trinucleotide repeat).

In many cases, conservative treatment consisting of physical therapy and new shoes with soft, spacious toe boxes is enough to resolve the condition, while in more severe or longstanding cases hammertoe surgery[8] may be necessary to correct the deformity.

The patient's doctor may also prescribe some toe exercises that can be done at home to stretch and strengthen the muscles.