Claw Toe Treatments at Orthotics Plus Melbourne
Claw toes can develop in many people as they age. It is caused by a muscle imbalance.
The long muscles that originate from the lower leg overpower the smaller muscles within the foot. This muscle imbalance leads to the clawing effect of the toes.
Claw toes typically involve all four lesser toes, and rarely involve the great toe. ‘Hammer toes‘ are a slightly different condition, however have a similar cause and treatment.
Claw toes can create multiple problems for patients. These include:
- Rubbing on the top of the toes from shoes
- Rubbing on the tip of the toes as they jam into the sole of the shoes
- Pain under the “ball of the foot” due to partial displacement of the metatarsophalangeal joints
The treatment will vary slightly depending on the exact symptoms, but may include:
Prevention focuses on well fitting footwear and maintaining strength in the small muscles of the foot.
Our clinicians at Orthotics Plus have extensive experience in treating both claw and hammer toes.
To determine the most appropriate treatment for you, we recommend booking an initial consultation to discuss your concerns in more detail.
