Introduction
Claw toes are a common foot deformity characterized by an overstretched metacarpophalangeal joint with a flexed middle and end joint of the toes. In addition to the claw toes, there are often other deformities that can be corrected simultaneously during claw toe surgery.
Reasons for claw toe surgery
There are various reasons why claw toe surgery is desired by the patient or recommended by the doctor: Cosmetic: Claw toes are considered unsightly, especially in summer when wearing open shoes. Often certain shoes can no longer be worn at all due to the malpositioned toe. Orthopedic: The incorrect position of the toe leads to incorrect loading of the affected foot, which can also lead to pain due to incorrect positions in the adjacent joints (ankle, knee and hip joints).
Also the increased formation of calluses up to the formation of a chicken eye or open skin lesions due to increased friction at the claw toe can lead to pain.
- Cosmetic: Especially in summer when wearing open shoes, claw toes are considered unattractive. Often certain shoes can no longer be worn at all due to the malpositioned toe.
- Orthopedic: The malalignment results in incorrect loading of the affected foot, which can also lead to pain due to malalignment in the adjacent joints (ankle, knee, hip). Also the increased formation of calluses up to the formation of a chicken eye or open skin lesions due to increased friction at the claw toe can lead to pain.
Time of an operation
In the early stages of claw toes, an attempt can be made to correct claw toes without surgery. For this purpose it is necessary that the malformed toe is not yet stiffened or is still mobile. The aim of this conservative therapy option is to correct the underlying foot malposition (usually the flat splay foot) with insoles and special traction bandages or splints. If there are already functional and movement restrictions of the toe, this conservative procedure often does not succeed anymore. In such cases, surgery is the only possibility to correct the claw toe.
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