Treatment for Claw Toe Pain
And how it’s different from mallet toe and hammertoes
Medically reviewed by Danielle McNeil, D.P.M
Claw toe is a foot deformity that causes painful toe-curling. If you have claw toe, your toes will point upward at the joint closest to the foot but bend sharply downward at the middle and third joint. This gives the toes a claw-like appearance, and it can lead to painful calluses on your toes and feet. Claw toe often gets worse without treatment, but changing your shoes, stretching your toes, and using orthotics can all help treat claw toe deformity.
Continue reading to learn more about claw toe, also known as claw foot, including what causes your toes to curl as well as the difference between claw toe and hammer toe.
How Do You Know You Have Claw Toe?
Most people have toes that extend relatively straight from their feet. But if you have claw toe, your toes might look like they’re curling. That is because instead of the joints being relatively flat, the joint closest to the ankle points sharply upward, while the middle and last joint bend sharply down toward the bottom of your foot. The result is a toe position that looks like a claw.
Some people are born with claw toes, but most people develop it over time.
Claw toe usually affects every toe. For this reason, it’s sometimes called claw foot. If you only have symptoms in one toe, you might have another type of toe joint deformity, such as hammer toe or mallet toe. Here’s how the conditions compare:
Claw toe causes the toes to bend sharply upward, then downward. It usually affects all toes.
Hammer toe causes the toe to bend downward at the middle joint. It usually only affects one toe.
Mallet toe causes the toe to bend downward at the final joint, the joint nearest the tip of the toe.
If you believe you have any of these conditions, you should see your healthcare provider for an exam. A podiatrist (a foot doctor) can help diagnose claw toe and give you a treatment plan.
Causes of Claw vs. Mallet vs. Hammer Toe
Toe deformities can result from neurological illnesses or muscular weakness. Conditions that can cause claw toe include:
Ankle fractures or surgeries
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Nerve damage including from diabetes or alcohol use disorder
When you visit your healthcare provider, they’ll try to determine the underlying cause of your claw toe. They may suggest neurological testing to get to the bottom of the cause.
Early Claw Toe Treatment
When claw toe first happens, taping and other measures can correct it. But over time, the joints become locked into position. Because of that, early intervention is important, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you think you have claw toe.
Claw Toe Pain: What Helps
People with claw toes often develop painful calluses. Switching your shoes is one of the most immediate ways to relieve claw toe pain. Avoid shoes with a narrow or shallow toe box. Instead, try loose-fitting, soft shoes with a wider, deeper toe box. Softer materials like nylon mesh or suede may also help. This can help prevent calluses. Some people also use padding or tape to protect their toes and prevent calluses.
Remember, early intervention is important, so don’t try to treat claw toe yourself. Instead, talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them about over-the-counter pain relief, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
Treating Claw Toe Without Surgery
When you see a healthcare provider for claw toe, they often suggest non-invasive treatment options. These include:
Using tape or a splint to keep the toes in a more natural position
Gently stretching the toes to keep mobility in the joint and encourage a better position
Exercising the toes, including by using them to pick up marbles or other items off the floor
Wearing custom orthotics, inserts that can make your shoes feel more comfortable
Swapping tight footwear for looser options with more space for the toes
If your claw toe is severe, your healthcare provider might recommend:
Using a pad in your shoe that will redistribute weight and take pressure off the toes
Wearing shoes that have an extra-wide/deep toe box
Surgical Treatment for Claw Toe
If you’ve tried nonsurgical treatments but you're still experiencing pain, your healthcare provider might recommend surgery. Surgery often includes a joint fusion, a surgical procedure that locks the joint into one position (straight, in this case). In other cases, surgeons will operate on the tendons and bones in your feet in order to help the toes lay flat.
Claw Toe Recovery
With early intervention, you may be able to correct claw toe or keep it from getting worse. Even if you need surgery, your healthcare provider will likely recommend lifestyle changes, like wearing wide-toe-box shoes.
Yet oftentimes, claw toe is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as diabetic nerve damage, alcohol use disorder, or arthritis. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options and how best to manage your health conditions in the future so you can avoid a recurrence of claw toe.
Summary
Claw toe is a deformity that causes the toes to jut upward from the foot, then sharply downward. Although some people are born with claw toes, the condition often develops with age because of serious health conditions such as nerve damage, trauma to the foot or ankle, or arthritis.
Because of that, you should always see a healthcare provider as soon as you notice symptoms of claw toe. They’ll recommend surgical and nonsurgical treatments that make you healthier and more comfortable. Special shoes or orthotic inserts can also help you manage the pain of claw toe.
