What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Acquired Claw Foot
• Acquired Claw Toe
• Gampsodactyly 

What is Claw Toe? (Definition/Background Information)

• Claw Toe is a kind of deformation, where bending of all 4 small toes takes place simultaneously, in a way that the bend occurs both at the middle joints and also at the distal joints of the toes. It is also known as Claw Foot
• This net result is an abnormal bending or curving of the toes, towards the soles of the feet. Claw Toe occurs due to an abnormal and unbalanced contraction of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle of the foot
• The risk factors of Claw Toe include both congenital and acquired factors. In this condition, the big toe is not bent or affected in any manner
• Treatment of Claw Toe includes both surgical and nonsurgical methods. An early detection and treatment of the condition may help individuals achieve a successful outcome 

Who gets Claw Toe? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Although, men and women of any age may develop Claw Toes; women are more likely to develop this condition than men
• The risk increases as women age; older women between the ages of 70-80 years, have an elevated risk
• All races and ethnic groups can be affected 

What are the Risk Factors for Claw Toe? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors for Claw Toe include:

• Presence of flat feet
• Injuries to the foot
• Excessive use of high heels
• Congenital deformities affecting the feet
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Degenerative disc disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Peripheral arterial diseases
• Diabetes
• Psoriasis
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider. 

What are the Causes of Claw Toe? (Etiology)

• A Claw Toe is usually caused by an abnormal muscle in the foot, called the flexor digitorum brevis
• This condition usually takes a long period of time to develop (sometimes years). It is most prevalent among adults; there exist a higher frequency factor for women, compared to men 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Claw Toe?

Claw Toe signs and symptoms vary in nature and may not be the same for different individuals. A few of these include:

• Pain in the toes and feet
• Abnormal gait while walking
• Formation of corns on the foot, due to excessive pressure being applied to certain parts of the abnormal foot while walking
• Painful ulcers at the region of increased stress
• The condition can affect either one foot or both feet 

How is Claw Toe Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Claw Toe would involve the following:

• Physical examination and thorough evaluation of medical history: Claw Toe is usually diagnosed through a physical examination by a qualified health professional
• X-ray of the foot: The physician may order an x-ray in order to identify the position of your toes, or to examine, if any inflammation has developed within the joints
• Blood test: Blood tests are commonly used to rule out any other underlying causes for clinical conditions, associated with Claw Toes

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. 

What are the possible Complications of Claw Toe?

Based on the type of symptoms observed, some of the possible complications of Claw Toe are:

• Formation of ulcers
• Formation of calluses

Complications may also occur on account of any surgical intervention procedures that may be recommended by the physician. 

How is Claw Toe Treated?

The treatment for Claw Toe is based on the stage at which it is diagnosed. If they are diagnosed during the early stages, then it is easier to treat the condition than if diagnosed during the later stages. 

Treatment measures used by the physician for an early-stage Claw Toe could include:

• Wearing shoes with soft insoles; the use of insoles relieve pressure on the feet
• Avoiding high heels
• Physical therapy - this may involve stretching of the toes to a normal configuration
• Prescription of pain medications (over-the-counter drugs) 

If Claw Toes are diagnosed at a later stage, then the above-mentioned passive treatment methods may not be helpful. In such situations, a surgical intervention may be necessary. In general, there are two types of surgeries performed for Claw Toe. The surgical procedures include:

• Arthroplasty for Claw Toe: Arthroplasty is a surgical correction performed by trimming the proximal phalangeal head (a bone of the toe), which results in straightening of the affected toes. Multiple surgeries may be required to achieve optimal results. If arthroplasty is ineffective, then a more invasive surgical procedure, called arthrodesis, may be explored
• Arthrodesis for Claw Toe: Arthrodesis is an invasive surgical procedure in which metal pins are used to hold the middle phalanges and proximal bones together. Since, arthrodesis is a more complex procedure; the recovery period is much longer. During the recovery period, an optimal fusion of the proximal bone and middle phalanges is sought to be achieved 

These surgical intervention techniques do have certain complications that may occur. These include:

• A lack of healing of the surgically-corrected joint
• Infection at the surgical site
• Damage to the surrounding nerves, resulting in a loss of sensation
• Inadvertent injury to the blood vessels, resulting in blood supply loss to the toes
• Mal-union may occur, if the fusion of the joints does not heal properly. If the toe is abnormally configured after surgery, then another surgical procedure may be necessary, to correct this defect 

How can Claw Toe be Prevented?

The following factors may be considered to preventing Claw Toes:

• Avoid narrow shoes or shoes that are high-heeled. Wearing any shoes that cause a great amount of pressure on the toes may lead to the development of Claw Toes
• Use shoes that fit adequately and are comfortable to wear
• Individuals with certain risk factors may perform toe exercises that include stretching the toes, to prevent Claw Toes
• Treatment of any underlying condition that contributes to the development of Claw Toe is beneficial 

What is the Prognosis of Claw Toe? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

If diagnosed and treated early, individuals with Claw Toes may show continuous improvements. They may not require any surgical correction and can avoid long-term complications. 

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Claw Toe:

• Mallet toe is defined as a deformity, where the distal joint of the toe is bent downwards, resulting in a mallet configuration. The condition mostly affects the 2nd toe. Mallet toe should not be confused with Claw Toe 

The following article link will help you understand mallet toe:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/mallet-toe/