A Mallet toe results from a contraction of which joint?

A Mallet toe is characterized by a specific deformity that occurs at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the toe. In this condition, the toe is flexed at the DIP joint while the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint remains extended. This deformation typically results from an imbalance of muscle strength or a trauma that affects the tendons that control the movement of the toe.

Understanding that the DIP joint is the key joint involved in this condition helps to identify it accurately. The nature of Mallet toe is such that the proximal part of the toe appears to be straight or even bent upward, while it is the flexion of the DIP joint that creates the distinctive look of the toe curling downwards at the tip. This is why identifying the affected joint as the distal interphalangeal joint is essential in recognizing and understanding the mechanics and implications of Mallet toe.