It is a condition in which your fingers bend. The Clawtoes and Hammertoes may appear from birth or your legs may bend later.

It is not usually a serious problem in itself, but it can be uncomfortable. It can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as cerebral palsy or diabetes.

If you suspect you have clawtoes and hammertoes, make an appointment with your doctor. To prevent deterioration of the toenail, it is important to receive early diagnosis and treatment.

What to look for

When you have a clawtoes and hammertoes, the joints of your feet that are closest to your ankle point upwards, while the other joints of your feet bend downwards. This makes your fingers look like nails.

In some cases, the clawtoes and hammertoes does not cause pain. In other cases, your toes may have a problem and develop calluses or sores on areas that rub against your shoes.

Causes of clawtoes and hammertoes

The clawtoes can develop as a result of many different conditions. For example, you may develop a clawtoes after ankle surgery or an ankle injury.

Nerve damage can weaken your foot muscles, leading to imbalances that cause your toes to bend awkwardly. Inflammation can also cause your toes to bend in a nail position.

Underlying disorders that can cause ringworm include:

Rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues in your joints. As a result, the lining of your joints becomes inflamed, which can lead to deformities of the joints.
Brain paralysis. This condition can affect your muscle tone, resulting in muscles that are either too stiff or too loose. It can be caused by abnormal brain development before birth or injury during childbirth.
Diabetes. This condition occurs when your body has high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. Nerve damage, especially to your feet, is one of the complications that can result from diabetes.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This is a rare inherited disorder that can affect your nervous system. If you have this condition, it can cause weakness and deformity of your legs.
Stroke. This condition occurs when blood stops flowing to an area of ​​your brain due to a blood clot or weak blood vessels. Strokes can cause severe nerve damage and affect your muscles, including the muscles in your legs.

In some cases, the underlying cause of the toenail is never recognized.

When to see your doctor

Call your doctor if your toes show nail marks. They may be flexible at first, but they can stick permanently into the nail position over time. Treatment is necessary to avoid this.

Your doctor will also check for underlying disorders that can cause ringworm, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and improve your quality of life.