Claw Toes
Claw toes can best be described as abnormal flexion in both toe joints of the lesser toe.
The causes of claw toes are:
- Inappropriate footwear
- Flat feet
- Highly arched feet
- Hereditary factors
- Bunions
- Long toes
- Various diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
- Trauma such as stubbing the toe
Symptoms of claw toes:
- Claw toes can be subject to cramping and on occasion can cause cramping within the foot or even the leg
- Corns may form on top of the toes as a result of pressure from a shoe, or on the end of the toes
- Bursitis that is inflammation of a small sac of fluid under the skin and overlying the joint. The top of the joints will appear red and swollen
- Ulceration can form particularly where the circulation is reduced
- Infection can be a complication of claw toes particularly where general health is not good
Treatment and advice for claw toes:
- Consideration of footwear is very important. A deep toebox with soft leather uppers is ideal. With certain medical conditions customised shoes are often required
- Good fitting hose which is not restrictive is advised
- Certain types of felt padding can be used to reduce pressure loading
- Applying an appropriate moisturising cream is often helpful
- The use of silicones, which can be purchased pre-packed in the form of tubes
- Podiatrists can mould silicone rubber to the toes, which is often very successful. For example a silicone prop to the second, third and fourth toes
- Routine footcare to address corns and callouses
- Specific footcare for episodes of bursitis, ulceration or infection associated with claw toes
- Consideration of a surgical procedure such as an arthroplasty for a permanent solution.
- Where there are claw toes and they are associated with biomechanical factors, orthoses can be very helpful in assisting with re-alignment, particularly for flexible claw toes.
