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.
Proliance Surgeons
Philip Yearian, DPM, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in the lower extremity treatment of the foot and ankle. He believes that staying on the forefront of treatment involves educating his patients, which leads to better outcomes.While competing as a Division I Track and Field athlete in the 3000 meters Steeplechase and Cross Country at the University of Portland, his own injuries introduced him to some of the very treatments he uses today to get patients back on their way to a non-painful walk or ultra-marathon.His training involved specializing in both bone and plastic reconstructive surgery. After over twenty years in practice in Gig Harbor and Tacoma, Dr. Yearian has improved some of these very techniques, which now allow some patients to shorten their recovery and return to play or work sooner.Dr. Yearian coaches basketball at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. He also enjoys running marathons, skiing, traveling and teaching for the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Residency program. Dr. Yearian is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Claw Foot. His top areas of expertise are Bunions, Flat Feet, Synovitis, and Tendinitis.
Proliance Surgeons
Peter Krumins, MD, is fellowship trained in sports medicine with a professional interest in joint reconstruction of the lower extremity, including foot, ankle, knee and hip. He enjoys solving complex surgical problems to help individuals regain function and return to the activities they love.Dr. Krumins is an avid sports enthusiast enjoying snow skiing, paddle boarding, and hiking with his three children, as well as competing in bike races as a member of the Old Town Bicycle "dirt" team. Dr. Krumins is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Claw Foot. His top areas of expertise are Achilles Tendon Rupture, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.
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.
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.