Claw Toes Causes and Treatments

Article Highlights:

• Clawed toes are a common foot condition where toes bend abnormally, looking like animal claws. They can be painful and uncomfortable, especially when wearing tight shoes. 

• Clawed toes are often caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that normally keep toes straight. 

• Risk factors include genetics, foot structure, wearing high heels or narrow-toed shoes, and certain medical conditions. 

• Treatments range from simple measures such as stretching and wearing comfortable shoes to orthotics and surgery. 

• If left untreated, clawed toes can cause painful calluses or corns, affect balance, and increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults.

Have you ever noticed that your toes are starting to curve or bend in an unusual way? Perhaps they’re no longer straight, but are now clawed or crooked, causing you discomfort and even pain. If so, you may be experiencing a common foot condition known as clawed toes.

In this piece, we’re going to give you a rundown of this condition but before we dive too deep into claw toe deformity, let’s start off with the basics. Here’s what you need to know about clawed toes.

What are claw toes?

This is when the toes are bent in abnormal ways and may look somewhat similar to the claw of an animal. As the toes tend to curl and bend with this condition, it can be quite uncomfortable and cause other issues.

Clawed toes are also commonly associated with hammer toes, another type of toe deformity.

What is a Hammer Toe?

A hammer toe is one of the more common toe deformities that causes one or more toes to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward. This condition can affect any of the toes on your foot, but it most commonly affects the second or third toes.

There are different types of hammer toes, including clawed toes, mallet toes, hammer toes and bent toes.

What causes toes to become bent?

Bent toes are caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. 

This imbalance can be due to a variety of factors, including genetics, foot structure, and injury.

Additionally, wearing shoes that are too tight or have a narrow toe box can exacerbate the problem. 

What do clawed toes look and feel like?

Clawed toes can be identified by their distinctive appearance.

Instead of lying flat, the toe is bent upward from the toe joint at the base of the toe, then downward at the middle joint, and then up again at the tip.

This creates a claw-like shape. Claw toes can also cause discomfort, pain, and difficulty walking or wearing shoes.

 Are there any signs of the condition in its early stages?

Yes, there are. In the early stages of clawed toes, you may notice that your toes are starting to bend or curl downward slightly. 

You may also experience mild discomfort or pain in your toes, especially after standing or walking for long periods. 

Is the condition painful?

Yes, it can be.

Clawed toes can cause pain and discomfort, especially if you’re wearing shoes that rub against the toe or put pressure on the affected area.

The condition can also lead to other foot problems, like corns, calluses and blisters.  

Are there any risk factors for clawed toes?

Yes, there are several risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing clawed toes. These include:

• Genetics;
• Foot structure;
• Wearing high heels or shoes with a narrow-toe box;
• Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis and nerve damage.

Are certain people more likely to develop a claw toe?

 Yes, certain groups of people are more likely to develop clawed toes. This includes women, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis.

 What are the treatment options for clawed toes?

Treatment options for clawed toes depend on the severity of the condition. 

We offer a range of treatment options that can be tailored to the severity of the issue and some can be used preventively to minimise the risk of further injury or the need for surgery.

Treatments can include:

• Simple measures such as stretching exercises;
• Wearing comfortable shoes with a roomy toe box;
• Using orthotics to correct the movements creating the hammer toes;
• Padding and offloading devices;
• For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct in which case we would provide you with a referral

Are there any risks associated with any of the treatment options?

There are very few risks attached to most of the conservative treatment options for claw toes.

As with any medical procedure, there are of course some risks associated with surgical treatment for clawed toes. Some of the potential side effects can be risks including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and poor wound healing.

Can claw toes cause other issues for the feet, ankles or body? 

Yes, clawed toes can contribute to other foot problems, such as corns, calluses, and blisters.

In addition to the above conditions, claw toes can also impact your balance, which can lead to falls or other injuries.

It can also cause issues for other areas of your body as you change the way you move your body to alleviate the pain.

What happens if I don’t treat the condition? Can it get worse? 

The outcome of not treating a claw toe can be hard to predict, however, there left untreated, it can lead to other foot and ankle problems.

For example, they can cause painful calluses or corns to form on the affected toes. 

They can also affect your balance and increase your risk of falls, especially in older adults.  If you change the way you walk to compensate for the pain or discomfort caused by your claw toes, you may develop knee, hip, or back problems. 

Is there anything I can do to prevent claw toes?

There are some things you can do to help prevent claw toes from developing, such as wearing comfortable shoes with roomy toe boxes, avoiding high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box – you should avoid tight shoes altogether.

Doing regular foot exercises to keep the foot muscles and tendons in your feet and toes strong and flexible can also help to prevent the condition from developing.

When should I see a podiatrist if I have bent toes?

If you notice that your toes are starting to bend or curl downward, or if you experience any pain or discomfort in your toes or feet, it’s important to see a podiatrist.

 They can evaluate your condition, determine the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment options to prevent the condition from worsening.

We can help you with clawed toes in Melbourne’s East

If you’re looking for a podiatrist to help you take care of your feet or help treat your clawed toes, then here at Hurst Podiatry, we’re ready to help you. We have a team of specialised podiatrists available to help you in Melbourne’s East.

Just book a consultation by calling us on 03 5901 2216 or booking online here.