A shoe with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area so that there is less friction against the toes. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the claw toes. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including claw toes.Ĭhanging the type of footwear worn is a very important step in the treatment of claw toes. This results in the joints curling downwards. Shop at Healthy Feet Store to find the right orthotics and shoes for treating your claw toe. During the later stages, special shoes or orthotics can be used to fix the problem. The claw toes are pointed back at the first joint, then. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development of corns and calluses.Ĭlaw toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and tendons to become unnaturally tight. If claw toes is diagnosed early on, it may be fixed with simply splints or tape. Claw toes usually affect multiple toes at once, curving around the joint where the toes meet the foot. Movement is very limited and can be extremely painful. This deformity can affect any toe on your foot. This type of claw toe can be straightened manually.Ī rigid claw toe does not have that same ability to move. A hammer toe is a deformity that causes your toe to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward. In a flexible claw toe, the joint has the ability to move. There are two types – flexible and rigid. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the end of the toe that is pressed against the bottom of the shoe.Ĭlaw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. Claw toes may occur in any toe, except the big toe.
Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. This means you don’t have to stay in the hospital for the surgery.A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Toe deformities, such as claw and hammer toes, often develop in people with diabetes (7), and toes are among the most common site of diabetes-related foot. Surgery usually requires only a local anesthetic (numbing medicine for the affected area). If you have a severe case of hammer toe or if the affected toe is no longer flexible, you may need surgery to straighten your toe joint. If your pain and swelling are severe, your doctor may need to give you a steroid injection in the toe joint. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (also called NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (two brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (one brand name: Aleve), may be helpful. This can help relieve the soreness and swelling. Similar to hammer toes, claw toes involve cocking up of the lesser toes where they join the ball of the foot as well as flexion at the small knuckles of each toe. With claw toe the bend is in the middle and ends of the. Claw toes are a condition that affects the small toes of the foot. If your hammer toe becomes painful, you can apply an ice pack several times a day. Claw toe or hammer toe is a condition where you have an abnormal bend in one of the joints of a toe. Small or soft objects, such as marbles or towels, work best. You can also exercise by picking things up with your toes. Definition A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. For example, you may need to move and stretch your toe gently with your hands. You may need to do certain exercises to keep your toe joints flexible.
CLAW TOE HOW TO
Your family doctor can show you how to do this. If the affected toe is still flexible, you may be able to treat it by taping or splinting the toe to hold it straight.