What Causes Crooked Toes and How to Fix Them

Crooked toes are a frequent issue that you might be born with or develop over time.

There are multiple varieties of crooked toes and several possible reasons behind them. If you or your child has one or more crooked toes, you may worry they’ll get worse or become painful if they haven’t already.

Crooked toes don’t always need medical intervention. Changes in daily habits and conservative measures can often help, and surgical options are available when necessary.

In this article, we’ll cover what you should know about the causes and management of crooked toes.

Types of crooked toes

Common forms of crooked toes include:

Curly toe

Curly toe is a congenital condition seen in infants and children. Parents may not realize their baby has a curly toe until walking begins. Babies with curly toe have toes that curl underneath, commonly on both feet.

This often affects the third or fourth toe on each foot. Curly toe is sometimes called an underlapping toe because the affected toe curls beneath its neighbor. In some infants, curly toe corrects itself without intervention.

Hammer toe

A hammer toe is any toe with an abnormal bend at the middle joint. It stems from an imbalance among the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that normally keep the toes straight.

Hammer toes most often affect the second or third toe on one or both feet. The condition is more prevalent in women than men, and the risk increases with age.

Mallet toe

Mallet toes resemble hammer toes but the abnormal bend occurs at the top joint of the toe nearest the toenail. This also arises from an imbalance of muscles, ligaments, or tendons.

Claw toe

Claw toes bend downward toward the sole and may even press into the foot. Besides causing pain or discomfort, claw toes can produce open sores, corns, or calluses.

Overlapping toe

An overlapping toe sits on top of the adjacent toe. This can be present in infants, children, and adults, on one or both feet, and affects men and women equally.

Adductovarus toe

Adductovarus toes rotate toward the adjacent toe. This crooked toe type most commonly involves the fourth or fifth toes on one or both feet.

Causes of crooked toes

Crooked toes can develop for a variety of reasons. It’s possible for several factors to contribute.

Heredity

Some crooked toe types, like curly toe, may have a genetic component. Curly toe is caused by an overly tight flexor tendon that pulls the toe downward. In some cases, this tight tendon tendency runs in families.

If one or both parents have curly toe, their children are more likely to have it compared with the general population.

Tight or ill-fitting shoes

Shoes that don’t fit well can push toes into an abnormal, curled posture.

Tight or short toe boxes strain the muscles and tendons that keep toes aligned, potentially leading to hammer toe, mallet toe, and adductovarus toe. Certain shoe styles, such as high heels that place pressure on the toes, can also contribute to these problems.

Injury or trauma

A broken toe that heals incorrectly can become crooked. Severe stubbing or other foot trauma may also cause this outcome.

Severe obesity

Obesity may contribute to or worsen crooked toes. Excess body weight can put increased stress on the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the feet. A study of 2,444 men and women (4,888 feet) found that severe obesity in men was linked with a higher rate of claw toe.

Nerve damage

Conditions that cause nerve damage in the foot (neuropathy) can sometimes lead to claw toe. Examples include diabetes and chronic alcoholism.

Joint damage

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can produce joint damage in the feet in addition to mild neuropathy. This damage may result in claw toes or hammertoes.

Complications of crooked toes

If left untreated, crooked toes can produce complications that make walking or moving uncomfortable or difficult. These include:

• pain or irritation, particularly when wearing shoes
• swelling
• open sores
• corns and calluses
• shortening of toe length
• permanent deformity of the toe
• joint stiffness and loss of toe mobility

Treatment of crooked toes

Treatment depends on the severity and duration of the deformity. If the toes are still flexible, lifestyle adjustments may be sufficient. If rigidity has developed, more intensive medical interventions might be necessary.

Approaches for addressing crooked toes include:

Buy shoes that fit

If your toes remain flexible and can return to a neutral position, switching footwear may correct the issue. Choose lower, stacked heels or flats over stilettos, and reserve very high heels for brief occasions.

Also select roomy shoes that give toes space to lay flat and spread. Adding toe pads or supportive insoles can reduce discomfort and help the toe regain proper alignment.

Exercise your feet

Exercises that stretch toe muscles and tendons may be helpful. Try picking up small items with your toes or using them to scrunch soft fabric like a towel. Working with a physical therapist can also be beneficial.

Toe spacing

Anecdotal reports indicate that using a toe spacer can help relieve crooked toes. Toe spacers are available over-the-counter and can be worn inside shoes or during sleep.

Toe taping

Toe taping is usually not advised for infants with congenital crooked toe. However, one small study demonstrated significant improvement in 94 percent of infants treated with taping for underlapping or overlapping toes.

Splints

If the toe is flexible, a clinician may recommend maintaining it in a straight position using a splint, toe wrap, or other orthotic device.

Surgery

If the toe is rigid and permanently deformed, surgery might be advised, especially when pain or mobility problems are present.

Surgical correction can involve removing or cutting a small section of the toe joint and realigning the toe, or excising sections of bone that are damaged or misshapen.

These procedures are commonly performed as outpatient surgeries. During recovery, the foot may be splinted for up to two weeks, and you may need to wear a walking boot for several weeks afterward.

Key>Crooked toes are a frequent issue that you might be born with or develop over time.

There are multiple varieties of crooked toes and several possible reasons behind them. If you or your child has one or more crooked toes, you may worry they’ll get worse or become painful if they haven’t already.

Crooked toes don’t always need medical intervention. Changes in daily habits and conservative measures can often help, and surgical options are available when necessary.

In this article, we’ll cover what you should know about the causes and management of crooked toes.

Types of crooked toes

Common forms of crooked toes include:

Curly toe

Curly toe is a congenital condition seen in infants and children. Parents may not realize their baby has a curly toe until walking begins. Babies with curly toe have toes that curl underneath, commonly on both feet.

This often affects the third or fourth toe on each foot. Curly toe is sometimes called an underlapping toe because the affected toe curls beneath its neighbor. In some infants, curly toe corrects itself without intervention.

Hammer toe

A hammer toe is any toe with an abnormal bend at the middle joint. It stems from an imbalance among the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that normally keep the toes straight.

Hammer toes most often affect the second or third toe on one or both feet. The condition is more prevalent in women than men, and the risk increases with age.

Mallet toe

Mallet toes resemble hammer toes but the abnormal bend occurs at the top joint of the toe nearest the toenail. This also arises from an imbalance of muscles, ligaments, or tendons.

Claw toe

Claw toes bend downward toward the sole and may even press into the foot. Besides causing pain or discomfort, claw toes can produce open sores, corns, or calluses.

Overlapping toe

An overlapping toe sits on top of the adjacent toe. This can be present in infants, children, and adults, on one or both feet, and affects men and women equally.

Adductovarus toe

Adductovarus toes rotate toward the adjacent toe. This crooked toe type most commonly involves the fourth or fifth toes on one or both feet.

Causes of crooked toes

Crooked toes can develop for a variety of reasons. It’s possible for several factors to contribute.

Heredity

Some crooked toe types, like curly toe, may have a genetic component. Curly toe is caused by an overly tight flexor tendon that pulls the toe downward. In some cases, this tight tendon tendency runs in families.

If one or both parents have curly toe, their children are more likely to have it compared with the general population.

Tight or ill-fitting shoes

Shoes that don’t fit well can push toes into an abnormal, curled posture.

Tight or short toe boxes strain the muscles and tendons that keep toes aligned, potentially leading to hammer toe, mallet toe, and adductovarus toe. Certain shoe styles, such as high heels that place pressure on the toes, can also contribute to these problems.

Injury or trauma

A broken toe that heals incorrectly can become crooked. Severe stubbing or other foot trauma may also cause this outcome.

Severe obesity

Obesity may contribute to or worsen crooked toes. Excess body weight can put increased stress on the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the feet. A study of 2,444 men and women (4,888 feet) found that severe obesity in men was linked with a higher rate of claw toe.

Nerve damage

Conditions that cause nerve damage in the foot (neuropathy) can sometimes lead to claw toe. Examples include diabetes and chronic alcoholism.

Joint damage

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can produce joint damage in the feet in addition to mild neuropathy. This damage may result in claw toes or hammertoes.

Complications of crooked toes

If left untreated, crooked toes can produce complications that make walking or moving uncomfortable or difficult. These include:

• pain or irritation, particularly when wearing shoes
• swelling
• open sores
• corns and calluses
• shortening of toe length
• permanent deformity of the toe
• joint stiffness and loss of toe mobility

Treatment of crooked toes

Treatment depends on the severity and duration of the deformity. If the toes are still flexible, lifestyle adjustments may be sufficient. If rigidity has developed, more intensive medical interventions might be necessary.

Approaches for addressing crooked toes include:

Buy shoes that fit

If your toes remain flexible and can return to a neutral position, switching footwear may correct the issue. Choose lower, stacked heels or flats over stilettos, and reserve very high heels for brief occasions.

Also select roomy shoes that give toes space to lay flat and spread. Adding toe pads or supportive insoles can reduce discomfort and help the toe regain proper alignment.

Exercise your feet

Exercises that stretch toe muscles and tendons may be helpful. Try picking up small items with your toes or using them to scrunch soft fabric like a towel. Working with a physical therapist can also be beneficial.

Toe spacing

Anecdotal reports indicate that using a toe spacer can help relieve crooked toes. Toe spacers are available over-the-counter and can be worn inside shoes or during sleep.

Toe taping

Toe taping is usually not advised for infants with congenital crooked toe. However, one small study demonstrated significant improvement in 94 percent of infants treated with taping for underlapping or overlapping toes.

Splints

If the toe is flexible, a clinician may recommend maintaining it in a straight position using a splint, toe wrap, or other orthotic device.

Surgery

If the toe is rigid and permanently deformed, surgery might be advised, especially when pain or mobility problems are present.

Surgical correction can involve removing or cutting a small section of the toe joint and realigning the toe, or excising sections of bone that are damaged or misshapen.

These procedures are commonly performed as outpatient surgeries. During recovery, the foot may be splinted for up to two weeks, and you may need to wear a walking boot for several weeks afterward.

Key takeaways

There are multiple types of crooked toes and various causes for each. A crooked toe may be present from birth or develop later in life.

Crooked toes are often improved by lifestyle changes such as choosing well-fitting footwear and avoiding excessively high heels. At-home treatments like splints or toe spacers may also be effective.

If the crooked toe has become fixed and rigid, or it doesn’t improve with conservative measures, surgical correction may be necessary.

Consult a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about a crooked toe, especially if it causes pain or functional difficulty. If your concern involves crooked teeth as part of broader family health queries, mention this during your visit so your provider can address all concerns.