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.
Ligaments and tendons that tighten cause the toe's joint to curl downwards. Claw toes may occur in any toe, except
the big toe. There is 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.
Claw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints.
Flexible Claw Toe - The joint has the ability to move. This type of claw toe
can be straightened manually.
Rigid Claw Toe - Movement is very limited and
can be extremely painful.
This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading
to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain
and
development of corns and calluses.
Claw toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and tendons to become
unnaturally tight. This results in the joints curling downwards. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities
including claw toes.
Changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step in the treatment of claw toes. When choosing
a shoe, make sure the toe box is high and can accommodate the claw toe. Other interventions such as orthotics help with the
mechanical imbalance of the foot.
