What is Claw Toe?
Claw toe and claw toe deformity both refer to a condition in which one or more toes bends into a claw-like position. Claw toe is also characterized by the formation of painful calluses on the top of the toe due to friction between the impacted toe and footwear.
Claw toes are often blamed on shoes that squeeze your toes into abnormal positions, for instance, high heels or shoes that are just too small. However, claw toes can often be caused by nerve damage that accompanies diabetes or alcoholism, both of which tend to affect muscles in the foot. Without treatment, claw toes can worsen and can become rigid.
Symptoms of developing claw toes
Here are some of the signs that claw toes are developing on your feet:
Toes bending downward at the top joints with a tendency to curl under
Toes bent upward from joints around the ball of your foot
Toes bent downward at the middle joint, tending in the direction of your shoe sole
Corns or calluses beginning to develop on top of the toes, under the ball of the foot, or under the ends of the toes
When you see developing symptoms of claw toe, you should contact a foot and ankle primary care physician to have your feet examined. A medical professional can conduct tests that rule out neurological disorders which could create imbalances that cause your toes to bend, or to weaken muscles in your feet.
Claw toe treatment
In their early stages, claw toe deformities can be treated non-surgically, depending on the flexibility of the joint. Your doctor could recommend that you use tape or a splint to maintain your toes in the proper position, or that you wear soft and roomy shoes. You can also exercise your toes by picking up marbles with them, or by crumpling a towel which you put on the floor. In the later stages of claw toe, your physician may deem surgery to be necessary to correct the deformity.
In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon might recommend a procedure that re-routes the flexor tendon to the toe, balancing and straightening the toe. If the claw toe has been present for a long period of time and is completely rigid, some surgeons may recommend a fusion of the impacted joints. The type of procedure your physician recommends will depend on the severity of your deformity.
There is a new solution available when surgery is indicated that is capable of restoring balance to the toe through two very small incisions instead of fusing the affected joints. The TenoTac® system addresses the root cause of the deformity, an imbalance in the soft tissues along the top and bottom of the toe.
The TenoTac® system requires much less exposure than other technologies which may result in less visible scaring for the patient. The TenoTac® system does not require fusion of the joint which can limit mobility. Instead, the TenoTac® implant creates an attachment for soft tissue at the base of the toe to stabilize the toe into the correct position. Due to the limited incisions and lack of bony work with this procedure, your surgeon may clear you to immediately put weight on the toe after surgery and get back to your normal activities.
Learn more about the TenoTac® Soft Tissue Fixation System here or if you need help finding a surgeon in your area, click here for to locate a surgeon near you.
Important Risk Information
Only a surgeon can tell if the TenoTac® Procedure is right for you. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. Potential risks include but are not limited to infection, discomfort, or swelling due to balancing and introduction of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction. Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
For the contraindications, potential complications and adverse reactions, warnings and precautions associated with this device, please refer to the device specific instructions for use at http://www.paragon28.com/ifus.
For additional information on Paragon 28® and its products please visit www.paragon28.com.
References
https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/claw-toe
