Have you noticed your toes starting to curl or bend in strange ways? Maybe one toe seems stuck in an awkward position, or you feel it rubbing painfully against your shoe. It might even feel like your toe just won’t straighten out—no matter how hard you try.

If that sounds familiar, you could be dealing with hammertoes or claw toes—two common foot conditions that slowly change the shape and movement of your toes over time.

Let’s walk through what’s going on, what causes it, and how we help you get back to comfortable, pain-free steps.

What Are Hammertoes and Claw Toes?

These conditions may sound similar (and they are), but there are a few key differences:

Hammertoes

• Usually affects the second, third, or fourth toe

• The toe bends downward at the middle joint—like a hammer

• The end of the toe may point down, but the base stays flat

Claw Toes

• Often affects all four smaller toes

• Toes bend downward at both the middle and end joints

• The toes also lift up slightly at the base, which creates a claw-like look

Both conditions are progressive, meaning they start off flexible but become more rigid over time. That’s why early treatment makes such a big difference.

What Causes Toes to Curl Like This?

There’s no single cause, but here are some common culprits:

• Wearing tight or narrow shoes that cramp the toes

• Foot structure issues, like high arches or flat feet

• Muscle imbalances—often from aging or nerve conditions

• Arthritis or diabetes (especially with nerve damage)

• Previous injuries to the foot or toes

Sometimes it’s a combination of things. We take the time to figure out what’s driving your toe changes, so we can treat the cause—not just the symptoms.

Early Signs to Watch For

It often starts with:

• A toe that looks slightly bent or feels tight

• Pain when wearing shoes (especially in the toe box)

• Corns or calluses on the top or tip of the toe

• Feeling like something is “off” when you walk

If the toe becomes rigid, it can be harder to treat without surgery—so the earlier you come in, the more options we have.

Treatment Options: What Can Be Done?

Nonsurgical Care (Great for mild to moderate cases)

• Roomier shoes with wide toe boxes

• Custom orthotics to rebalance pressure

• Toe splints or pads to help with alignment

• Stretching exercises for toe flexibility

• Padding corns and calluses to reduce friction

These simple steps can bring a lot of relief—especially if your toe is still flexible.

Surgical Care (For severe or fixed deformities)

If your toe is stuck in a rigid position, or you’re in daily pain that hasn’t improved with conservative care, surgery may be the best option. The goal is to straighten the toe, relieve pressure, and help you move more comfortably again.

Surgery is usually quick and done on an outpatient basis. We’ll walk you through the entire process and recovery timeline if it becomes necessary.

You Don’t Have to “Live With It”

If your toes are starting to curl, rub, or hurt—come see us.
The sooner we catch the problem, the more we can do to prevent it from getting worse. At Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and work with you on a plan that fits your lifestyle.