What Are Claw Toes?
Claw toes are a type of foot deformity that is so named because the toes resemble the claws of an animal. The characteristic shape of claw toes is a curve, with the toes curving sharply upwards then downwards in a C-shape. Claw toe deformities are caused by an imbalance in the way the tendons of the toes contract. The underlying cause of this imbalance is often flat feet. The movement of each toe on the foot is controlled by six different muscle sets, as well as several tendons. The muscles serve to stabilize the toes, and combine with the tendons to regulate movement. When the foot is imbalanced in some way, such as that which occurs in flat feet, this can cause the larger muscles of the toes to overpower the ability of the smaller muscles to perform correctly.
