Toes that curl up into a hammer-like or claw-like shape? It’s not just a matter of appearance: this is known as claw toe, a deformity that is often permanent and affects one or more of the middle joints of the toes.

What are the causes?

There are many causes: muscle imbalances, shoes that are too tight, nerve damage, arthritis, or peripheral neuropathy. In short, it’s not just a matter of “poor posture.”

What are the signs?

The deformity may be obvious… or develop very gradually. Many people don’t realize it until later, when they develop:

• corns or calluses caused by friction,
• pain or a burning sensation in the toes,
• difficulty putting on comfortable shoes.

Should I have surgery?

Not necessarily. Surgery is still rare and reserved for very advanced cases, where walking becomes truly difficult. The good news is that in the vast majority of cases, symptoms can be relieved and the progression of the disease slowed.

So what should we do?

The first steps are:

• choose wider shoes,
• use pads to relieve pressure points.

However, these methods are often only temporary. For a more long-term solution, custom orthotic insoles are highly recommended. While they won’t straighten the toe, they will slow the progression of the deformity by correcting the distribution of pressure on the forefoot.

Good to know: In some cases, these insoles are covered by Medicare.

Not sure?

Talk to your Vistapod pharmacist; they will offer you a free foot assessment through the Vistapod platform and can then advise you and help you find the solution that best suits your needs.

Find the nearest pharmacy equipped with Vistapod by downloading the Vistapod app.

www.vistapod.eu/link

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