Claw toe is a condition where your toe appears to resemble a “claw” due to an abnormal bending at the toe joints. People oftentimes believe that tight shoes are the cause of claw toe development, and while they may play a contributory role in some cases, most often it is brought on by nerve damage from conditions like diabetes or alcoholism. Without treatment, the condition will only get worse, which is why you shouldn’t ignore the signs of a problem. Below, we take a closer look at some of the signs and treatment options for claw toe.
Claw Toe Symptoms
Unlike a number of health conditions, claw toe can typically be diagnosed just by looking at the affected toe. Visual cues and symptoms that might suggest you’re dealing with claw toe include:
- Toes bent upwards from the joints at the ball of the foot.
- Toes bent downward at the middle joints toward the sole of your shoe.
- A visible curling of the toes under your foot.
- Corn development on the top of the toe or under the ball of the foot.
Claw Toe Diagnosis and Treatment
If you begin to notice that your toe is bending upwards or the tops are curling underneath your foot, make it a point to seek out a foot specialist, because as we mentioned above, the condition isn’t going to get better on its own. Your doctor will be able to look at the toe and conduct some physical exams to see how the toe joint degeneration has progressed.
Treatment strategies are based on how flexible the toe joint is when the condition is diagnosed. In the early stages, your doctor may recommend treatment options like splinting, taping, changing shoes to a more roomy toe box, physical therapy and better management of your related health conditions, like diabetes.
If the toe joints are more rigid, more hands-on treatment may be necessary. Your doctor may recommend custom foot orthotics, extra depth shoes, or custom footwear to accommodate the joint so that it doesn’t get worse. These won’t help cure the problem, but they may help the condition from progressing. In rare cases, surgery may be your best option to persevere as much joint function as possible. Your surgeon can walk you through the specifics of the procedure should it become necessary.
So if you believe you’re dealing with mild or severe claw toe, now is the time to connect with a foot specialist and get back on the path to recovery. Dr. Silverman has a wealth of experience treating claw toe, and he can help find the right solution for you.