Claw FootSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Claw Foot
Claw 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.
Claw toes
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 may include:
- Ankle fractures or surgery
- Cerebral palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Other brain and nervous system disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Contact your health care provider if you think you may be getting claw toes.
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.
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. Sometimes passive stretching or taping of the affected toe can be used to reduce the symptoms. Claw toes can also be treated surgically to realign the toe.
Tun Lui practices in Sar, China. Lui is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Claw Foot. Their top areas of expertise are Claw Foot, Hammer Toe, Tenosynovitis, Synovectomy, and Endoscopy.
Proliance Surgeons
Dr. Mark Reed is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon providing specialty care of all foot and ankle disorders. He treats both adolescents and adults with a special focus on sports-related injuries, including ankle instability, cartilage lesions, and Achilles tendon injuries. He also performs joint replacements and reconstructive surgery for degenerative conditions such as arthritis and tendon dysfunction. In addition, he provides state-of-the-art treatment in the areas of fracture care and sports medicine.Dr. Reed worked for seven years as a mechanical engineer for a contractor to the Department of Defense before changing careers and enrolling in medical school. As an engineer he designed missile guidance systems and was part of the team that developed the jet engine for the F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter.He earned his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. His background in engineering fostered an interest in orthopedics, driving him to an orthopedic surgical residency at the University of Massachusetts. As a chief resident, he was selected as the recipient of the esteemed John J. Monahan award, given to the physician who best embodies patient-centered care.After his general orthopedics training, Dr. Reed was accepted at the Union Memorial Hospital Foot and Ankle Fellowship in Baltimore, Maryland, considered to be one of the most prestigious foot and ankle fellowship programs in the country. He trained under three of the leaders in the foot and ankle community, including the recent president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, and participated in cutting-edge biomechanical and clinical research during his time in Baltimore.He has undergone advanced training in ankle joint replacement, including the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) prosthesis, as well as in reconstructive procedures, including bunion, hammertoe, and flatfoot deformity correction.Dr. Reed is excited to join the Seattle medical community and to experience all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his three sons. He also enjoys golf, tennis, working out, and spending time outdoors. Dr. Reed is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Claw Foot. His top areas of expertise are Synovial Osteochondromatosis, Tendinitis, Freiberg's Disease, and Caffey Disease.
Bassett Medical Center
. Dr. Daly is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Claw Foot. His top areas of expertise are Fungal Nail Infection, Hammer Toe, Corns and Calluses, and Foot Drop.
Summary: In France, more than 110.000 patients are hospitalized for stroke per year. It is the leading cause of sudden disabilities in adults. Incidence of spastic foot is evaluated at 1 year post stroke from 18% to 56% of hemiplegic patients. Spasticity, defined as an increase in the velocity-dependent response to muscle stretch measured at rest, is part of the upper motor neuron syndrome and is character...
Summary: The LYNC clinical investigation aims to confirm the clinical benefits, performance and safety of the Lync® device when implanted in the toes for the treatment of arthritis and correction of bone misalignments. The main objective of the study is to confirm the clinical benefits of the Lync® device for the treatment of arthritis and the correction of bone alignment default, by evaluating the restora...
Published Date: June 04, 2025
Published 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.
Grear 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.