BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuClaw footClaw toesClaw foot is a deformity of the foot. The joint of the toe that is closest to the ankle is bent upward, and the other joints are bent downward. The toe looks like a claw. Considerations Claw toes may be present at birth (congenital). The condition can also develop later in life because of other disorders (acquired). Claw toes may be caused by a nerve problem in the legs or a spinal cord problem or signs of arthritis. The cause is unknown in many cases.Most of the time, claw toes are not harmful by themselves. Rarely, they may be the first sign of a more serious disease of the nervous system.Claw toes may cause pain and lead to calluses on the top of the toe over the first joint, but may also be painless. The condition may create problems fitting into shoes. Causes Causes may include:Ankle fractures or surgery Cerebral palsy Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of disorders passed down through families that affect the nerves outside the brain and spine. These are calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other brain and nervous system disorders Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you think you may be getting claw toes. What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will do an exam to check for muscle, nerve, and spine problems. The physical exam will most likely include extra attention to the feet and hands. The provider will examine the flexibility of your toes and ankle.ExamDuring a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinati...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You will be asked questions about your condition, such as:When did you first notice this? Did you have a previous injury? Is it getting worse? Does it affect both feet? Do you have other symptoms at the same time? Do you have any abnormal feelings or loss of feeling in your toes or feet? Do any other family members have the same condition? The abnormal shape of the toe can increase pressure and cause calluses or ulcers on your toes. Fabric pads or sleeves that cover the top of your toes may help. You may need to wear special shoes to ease pressure. Claw toes can also be treated surgically.CallusesCorns and calluses are thick layers of skin. They are caused by repeated pressure or friction at the spot where the corn or callus develops....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGrear BJ. Neurogenic disorders. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 87.Murphy GA. Lesser toe abnormalities. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 84.AllVideoImagesTogClaw foot - illustration Claw toe is a deformity of the foot in which the toes are pointed down and the arch is high, making the foot appear claw-like. Claw toe can be a condition from birth or develop as a consequence from other disorders.Claw footillustrationClaw foot - illustration Claw toe is a deformity of the foot in which the toes are pointed down and the arch is high, making the foot appear claw-like. Claw toe can be a condition from birth or develop as a consequence from other disorders.Claw footillustrationRelated Information Contracture deformity(Symptoms)Claw hand(Symptoms) Review Date: 4/24/2023 Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Claw footClaw toesClaw foot is a deformity of the foot. The joint of the toe that is closest to the ankle is bent upward, and the other joints are bent downward. The toe looks like a claw. Considerations Claw toes may be present at birth (congenital). The condition can also develop later in life because of other disorders (acquired). Claw toes may be caused by a nerve problem in the legs or a spinal cord problem or signs of arthritis. The cause is unknown in many cases.Most of the time, claw toes are not harmful by themselves. Rarely, they may be the first sign of a more serious disease of the nervous system.Claw toes may cause pain and lead to calluses on the top of the toe over the first joint, but may also be painless. The condition may create problems fitting into shoes. Causes Causes may include:Ankle fractures or surgery Cerebral palsy Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of disorders passed down through families that affect the nerves outside the brain and spine. These are calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other brain and nervous system disorders Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you think you may be getting claw toes. What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will do an exam to check for muscle, nerve, and spine problems. The physical exam will most likely include extra attention to the feet and hands. The provider will examine the flexibility of your toes and ankle.ExamDuring a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinati...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You will be asked questions about your condition, such as:When did you first notice this? Did you have a previous injury? Is it getting worse? Does it affect both feet? Do you have other symptoms at the same time? Do you have any abnormal feelings or loss of feeling in your toes or feet? Do any other family members have the same condition? The abnormal shape of the toe can increase pressure and cause calluses or ulcers on your toes. Fabric pads or sleeves that cover the top of your toes may help. You may need to wear special shoes to ease pressure. Claw toes can also be treated surgically.CallusesCorns and calluses are thick layers of skin. They are caused by repeated pressure or friction at the spot where the corn or callus develops....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGrear BJ. Neurogenic disorders. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 87.Murphy GA. Lesser toe abnormalities. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 84.
