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Claw Toe
People often blame the
common foot deformity claw
toe on wearing shoes that
squeeze your toes, such as
shoes that are too short or
high heels. However, claw
toe also is often the result
of nerve damage caused by
diseases like diabetes or
alcoholism, which can weaken
the muscles in your foot.
Having claw toe means your
toes "claw," digging down
into the soles of your shoes
and creating painful
calluses. Claw toe gets
worse without treatment and
may become a permanent
deformity over time.
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Symptoms
Your toes are bent upward
(extension) from the joints at the
ball of the foot.
Your toes are bent downward
(flexion) at the middle joints
toward the sole of your shoe.
Sometimes your toes also bend
downward at the top joints, curling
under the foot.
Corns may develop over the top of
the toe or under the ball of the
foot.
Evaluation
If you have symptoms of a claw toe,
see your doctor for evaluation. You
may need certain tests to rule out
neurological disorders that can
weaken your foot muscles, creating
imbalances that bend your toes.
Trauma and inflammation can also
cause claw toe deformity.
Treatment
Claw toe
deformities are usually flexible at
first, but they harden into place
over time. If you have claw toe in
early stages, your doctor may
recommend a splint or tape to hold
your toes in correct position.
Additional advice:
Wear shoes with soft, roomy toe
boxes and avoid tight shoes and
high-heels.
Use your hands to stretch your toes
and toe joints toward their normal
positions.
Exercise your toes by using them to
pick up marbles or crumple a towel
laid flat on the floor.
If you have claw toe in later stages
and your toes are fixed in position:
A special pad can redistribute your
weight and relieve pressure on the
ball of your foot.
Try special "in depth" shoes that
have an extra 3/8" depth in the toe
box.
Ask a shoe repair shop to stretch a
small pocket in the toe box to
accommodate the deformity.
If these treatments do not help, you
may need surgery to correct the
problem.
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