Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooClaw Toe
Foot
What It Is
Many people blame claw toe on wearing shoes that squeeze the toes, such as high heels or shoes that are too short. However, claw toe is also often the result of nerve damage caused by conditions such as diabetes, stroke or alcoholism, which can weaken the muscles in the foot (AAOS, n.d.). When you have claw toe, your toes curl and dig down into the soles of your shoes, causing painful calluses. Without treatment, claw toe gets worse and may become a permanent deformity over time (AAOS, n.d.).
Claw Toe Anatomy
Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.
Treatment
Self-Care & Treatment
How to Treat Claw Toes
Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner
Tips
- Avoid wearing shoes that are too short.
- Make sure the shoes you buy have room for the full length of all your toes, so there is no irritation.
- Claw toe is more common in those who have high arches (ACFAS, n.d.).
- Avoid wearing shoes that are pointed and have a high heel, as these push the foot down into the front of the shoe, where the toes get squashed.
- Seek expert advice to correct or manage the condition. See your doctor if you have symptoms, as tests may be needed to rule out nerve conditions that can weaken the foot muscles (AAOS, n.d.).
Treatment
My Approach
Claw toe comes from the toe joints sitting in a bent position, often because the muscles that control the toes are out of balance. Massage can't straighten the toes or change the shape of the joints. What I can help with is the aches, tight muscles and stiffness that come with it, keeping the toes as flexible as possible and finding shoes that stop them rubbing.
I start by assessing your feet and toes, how flexible each toe still is, how you stand and walk, and the strength and flexibility of your foot, calf and shin. Because claw toe can be linked to nerve conditions, I also check feeling and strength in your feet. If anything is new or unexplained, I'll ask you to see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Hands-On Treatment
- Work through the muscles of the sole, calf and shin that pull on the toes
- Gentle stretches and mobilisation for each toe, bending it down at the knuckle where it joins the foot while straightening the smaller joints further along
- Easing other parts of the leg that work harder because of how you walk
- Warm applications in the clinic for stiff, tired feet
Exercises
- Picking up marbles with your toes and towel curls
- Practising the toe stretch yourself, 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
- Small amounts, often, rather than one big stretch
Footwear
What to Expect
Typical Course
What I Focus On
Sources
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) OrthoInfo (n.d.) Claw toe. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/claw-toe/ (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).
- MedlinePlus (2025) Claw foot. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003168.htm (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).