Claw toe
/klɔ/ /toʊ/
1. [noun] people often blame the common foot deformity claw toe on wearing shoes that squeeze your toes, such as shoes that are too short or high heels. However, claw toe also is often the result of nerve damage caused by diseases like diabetes or alcoholism, which can weaken the muscles in your foot. Having claw toe means your toes "claw," digging down into the soles of your shoes and creating painful calluses. Claw toe gets worse without treatment and may become a permanent deformity over time. Symptoms: Your toes are bent upward (extension) from the joints at the ball of the foot. Your toes are bent downward (flexion) at the middle joints toward the sole of your shoe. Sometimes your toes also bend downward at the top joints, curling under the foot. Corns may develop over the top of the toe or under the ball of the foot. See: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/claw-toe ; Accessed May 8 2019
Source: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/claw-toe
Frequently Asked Questions
How can the causes of claw toe be misunderstood in terms of footwear and underlying conditions?
Many assume that claw toe is only caused by tight or high-heeled shoes, but issues such as nerve damage from conditions like diabetes or alcoholism can also disrupt toe muscle balance.
In what way might your everyday walking highlight the characteristics of claw toe?
During a normal walk, the repeated extension and flexion at the toe joints can make the claw-like curvature more obvious, revealing a subtle imbalance in muscle control.
How does the term 'claw' in claw toe assist in remembering the foot’s physical changes?
The word 'claw' paints a vivid image of curled, gripping toes, which helps you recall the distinctive curved posture of the toes seen when the condition alters normal foot mechanics.