Claw Toes: How to Treat This Painful Joint Problem

Your little toes are some of the hardest working parts of your body. They help you keep your balance so that you can run, walk, and move. But these tiny appendages are also vulnerable to injury. Shoes and movement put a lot of pressure on your toes throughout the day. Over time, this repeated stress causes changes in toe shape, like claw toe.

Claw toe deformities can be painful and cause calluses. Claw toes can also make it harder for you to walk, run, and keep your balance. Here’s how you can treat your claw toes and get back to your usual activities. 

What is a claw toe?

The small toes are made of three small bones connected by two joints. The base of your toe connects to your foot with another joint. Claw toes form when the joint between the base of the toe and your foot bends upward and the joints in your toes bend downward. When the toes are stuck in this position, they “claw” down into the soles of your shoes. 

You can develop a claw toe in one or more of your small toes. Some people also develop hammertoes and mallet toes. Hammertoes and mallet toes are similar to claw toes, and it can be hard to tell them apart. 

The difference is that if you have a hammertoe, only the middle joint of your toe is stuck in a bent position. If you have a mallet toe, only the joint before the tip of your toe is bent. 

Claw toe symptoms

There are symptoms that are common when you develop a claw toe. It’s likely that you will see:

• Redness or swelling of your toes where they rub against your shoes

• Corns or calluses over your toes

• Pain with walking

• Rigid toes (later stages)

You might also notice that the inner soles of your shoes give out in the toe box. This happens because your toes are rubbing harder against the soles whenever you walk.

What causes a claw toe?

Claw toes develop when muscles in the foot tighten and pull the toes into an unnatural position. There are several things that can prompt claw toes to form.

Shoes

Wearing the wrong kinds of shoes can increase your risk of developing claw toes. High-heeled shoes or shoes with narrow toe boxes can push toes into an unnatural position. 

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If you always wear these types of shoes, the foot muscles keep the toes in a clawed position, even when the shoes are off. 

Medical conditions

Medical conditions that lead to joint or nerve damage increase your risk of developing claw toes. 

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the toe joints. Diabetes and strokes can cause damage in the nerves and muscles of the feet. 

Aging

Your muscles become weaker as you get older. And when the muscles in the feet become weaker, you tend to curl or grip your toes to keep your balance. Doing this all the time can lead to claw toes. 

Foot shape

Some people are more likely to get claw toes because of the natural shape of their feet. People with high arches are more likely to develop claw toes because of how they bend their toes to maintain balance when walking. 

Are there treatments for claw toes?

Yes. The good news is that there are many different treatments for claw toes. Let’s review both early and late treatments.

Non-surgical treatment for claw toes

You want to start treating your claw toes as soon as you notice them. Early on, your toes are still flexible, so treatment can help you straighten them. Over time, your joint becomes stiffer, so early treatment options won’t help.

Here are some things you can try early on that can help:

• Different shoes: Opt for shoes that are wide in the toe box. This gives your toes plenty of room to stretch. Avoid wearing high-heeled or tight shoes. 

• Stretches: You can try toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the tight muscles in your feet. Try straightening your toes gently. You can also pick up marbles or crumpled paper towels with your toes. 

• Tape: Kinesiology tape or splints can hold your joints in a more natural position. This teaches them to relax over time. 

• Orthotics: Orthotics are medical devices that go into your shoes, like shoe inserts and pads. You can also get special shoes that have extra depth in the toe box. Some people don’t like the appearance of orthotic shoes, so you can also ask a shoe repair shop if they can stretch a pocket into the toe boxes of your shoes.

Surgical treatment

If you can’t straighten your toes by applying gentle pressure, then your claw toes aren’t flexible anymore. Once stiffness sets in, early treatment and new shoes aren’t enough to straighten your toes. 

In this case, you’ll need foot surgery to help straighten your toes and relieve pressure and pain. There are several types of surgery that can help with claw toes. A podiatrist (foot specialist) will help you figure out which option will be best for your feet. 

When to seek medical care

Claw toe is best treated early to prevent serious complications that could possibly require surgery to correct. So it’s best to seek medical care from a podiatrist once you notice a deformity in your toes.

It’s also a good idea to see a podiatrist if you have a risk factor that could affect your foot health, like:

• Diabetes 

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Neuropathy, like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

• Traumatic injury to the foot or toes

• A family history of claw toe

A podiatrist can make sure your feet are healthy overall. They can also help you find the right orthotics and design slings for you. 

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Written by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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