 |
Mr. Arch's Orthotics & |
|
Claw Toes |
||
|
Home Ordering Foot Conditions Custom Orthotics Pre-Made Orthotics Doctors Disclaimer Policies Contact Us |
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.
Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl
downwards. Claw toes may occur in any toe, except the big toe. 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. Claw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There are two types - flexible and rigid. In a flexible claw toe, the joint has the ability to move. This type of claw toe can be straightened manually. A rigid claw toe does not have that same ability to move. 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 the 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 (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the claw toes. 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. |
Achilles Tendonitis AIDS & Your Feet Arch Pain Arthritis Bunions Calluses Claw Toes Corns Diabetic Foot Hammer Toes Heel Pain Heel Spurs Ingrown Toenails Mallet Toes ] Metatarsalgia Mortons Neuroma Mortons Toe Neuropathy Overlapping Toes Over Pronation (Flat Feet) Plantar Fasciitis Post-Tib Tendonitis Sesamoiditis |