Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooClaw Foot
Foot
What It Is
Claw foot is a type of foot deformity. In each affected toe, the joint closest to the ankle is bent upward and the other joints are bent downward, so the toe looks like a claw (MedlinePlus, 2025). The condition can be present at birth or develop later in life because of other disorders. It can be caused by a nerve problem in the legs or the spinal cord, or by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. In many cases, the cause is unknown (MedlinePlus, 2025).
Most of the time the condition is not harmful in and of itself. Rarely, it can be the first sign of a more serious problem within the nervous system, so it is worth having it checked (MedlinePlus, 2025). You may end up with calluses and pain on the top of the toe over the first joint, but sometimes it is painless. The condition can also cause problems fitting into shoes.
Claw Foot Anatomy
Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.
Treatment
Self-Care & Treatment
How to Manage Claw Foot
Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner
Tips
- Choose the correct shoes to prevent your feet from being constricted. Shoes that squash the toes can make the problem worse (Malhotra, Davda and Singh, 2016).
- Claw toes are often seen alongside high-arched feet. If you have high arches, consider supportive shoes with good cushioning, or custom orthotics (ACFAS, n.d.).
- See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if you think you may be developing claw toes, especially if you notice numbness or changes in feeling in your feet, so they can check for nerve, muscle or spine problems (MedlinePlus, 2025).
Treatment
My Approach
Claw toes are a change in the shape of the toes, and hands-on work and exercise can't straighten them. What they can do is ease the aches, keep your toes and foot as supple as possible, and help you stay comfortable and active.
I start by assessing how your toes, foot and ankle move, how you stand and walk, the strength of your foot and calf, and the feeling in your feet. Claw toes can sometimes come from a nerve problem, so if I find numbness or weakness, I'll ask you to see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Easing the Aches
- Hands-on work for the muscles of the sole, calf and shin that pull on the toes, keeping pressure off sore calluses
- Gentle stretching of each toe in the opposite direction to the way it has curled, and mobilisation of the small joints of the toes and foot
- Warm or cool applications in the clinic
- Taping to ease strain on the toes, and I'll show you how to tape them yourself
Keeping It Moving
- Active toe exercises: with your toes over the edge of a step or a book, curling them down at the knuckle while keeping the rest of each toe straight
- Calf and ankle mobility, and strength work for the muscles that support your arch
- A short home programme to do between visits
Footwear and Supports
What to Expect
Typical Course
What I Focus On
Sources
References
- MedlinePlus (2025) Claw foot. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003168.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- Malhotra, K., Davda, K. and Singh, D. (2016) 'The pathology and management of lesser toe deformities', EFORT Open Reviews, 1(11), pp. 409–419. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.160017
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) (2023) Claw, hammer and mallet toe deformities: patient information leaflet. Available at: https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/publication/download/lesser-toe-deformities-v6 (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) FootHealthFacts (n.d.) Cavus foot (high-arched foot). Available at: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/cavus-foot-(high-arched-foot) (Accessed: 7 October 2026).