5 Causes of Toes Cramps—and How to Finally Make Them Stop. Next time your toes are cramping and curling, try these DIY remedies. By Jordan Davidson. May 11, 2019 Arthritis may attack the toes. Arthritis commonly attacks joints in the hands, knees, and hips, but it can occur in any part of the body where joints exist — including the toes.
- Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
- Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
- Toes Curl When Walking
- Why Do My Toes Curl
- Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
A Possible Sign of Arthritis
Sadly, that crack, crack, cracking you’re hearing from your feet these days as you walk may be more than just another sign of getting old. In actuality, you may have arthritis and not know it.
What is arthritis, exactly?
The term arthritis is a bit of a misnomer and does not describe a single condition. Rather, it refers to the overall pain or disease that is caused by inflammation or stiffness in the joints. In fact, there are over 100 different types of arthritis and other related disorders that the term can actually cover.
When arthritis occurs in the joints (including the toes), it wears away cartilage between the joints. This causes inflammation in the associated tissues and/or wears away the synovial fluid (lubrication for the joints) over time. This makes the joints stiff and painful, which can become a serious problem for the big toe, as it is primarily responsible for balance when you walk.
Risk factors for developing arthritis in the toes may include:
- Family history of arthritis
- Increased age
- Obesity
- Wearing tight, high-heeled shoes for extended periods of time
What are some common symptoms of arthritis?
When it comes to arthritis in the toe(s), common symptoms may include:
- Changes in the appearance of the toe(s), such as joint enlarging (think of what a bunion may look like) or toe curving (a.k.a. claw foot)
- Pain in the big toe or several toes
- Stiffness that makes moving the toe(s) difficult
- Swelling, which may turn the toe(s) red, feel warm to the touch and make putting shoes on difficult
- Toe joint(s) locking up
How can arthritic toe pain be treated?
There are a number of things you can try to ease the pain and other symptoms of arthritis, such as:
Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
- Applying topical treatments, like Icy Hot® (or any treatment that contains capsaicin)
- Getting a foot massage
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) over the counter (e.g., Aleve®, Advil®, Motrin®, etc.)
- Wearing wide, comfortable, supportive shoes with arch support, so the joints of the toes and feet are stabilized (e.g., toning athletic shoes)
- Wiggling your toes to increase joint mobility
Could my symptoms be the result of something other than arthritis?
There are several conditions that can mimic the symptoms of arthritis (most notably rheumatoid arthritis). These include:
- Certain infections, such as Lyme disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Chikungunya virus
- Lupus, a choric autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own tissues
- Morton’s neuroma, a condition in which the tissue around a nerve connected to the toes becomes thickened
- Vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels
>No matter what the cause, if you suspect you have arthritis in one or more of your toes, a trip to a rheumatologist may be in order (because self-diagnosing is so early 2000s).
Why Do My Toes Crack When I Curl Them
Come to the Joint Specialists
At Northeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (NEOSM), our physicians have years of experience in effectively treating all orthopedic conditions and injuries, including those related to joint pain and arthritis. Our multidisciplinary approach to care ensures that patients receive the customized treatment they need to get moving again.
![Curl Curl](/uploads/1/1/7/7/117733943/685255627.jpg)
Toes Curl When Walking
For more information on arthritis or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contactNEOSMtoday.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Splichal and Dr. Janine Taddeo
Last updated on October 13, 2018
Last updated on October 13, 2018
Definition
![Why do my toes crack when i curl them Why do my toes crack when i curl them](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b2/b6/5c/b2b65c8279548b2ec06a2d2c742afdeb.jpg)
A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints in the toe), and can lead to severe pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened cause the toe’s joints to curl downwards. Claw toes may occur in any toe, except the big toe. There is often discomfort at the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the end of the toe that is pressed against the bottom of the shoe. Claw toes are classified based on the mobility of the toe joints. There are two types – flexible and rigid. In a flexible claw toe, the joint has the ability to move. This type of claw toe can be straightened manually. A rigid claw toe does not have that same ability to move. Movement is very limited and can be extremely painful. This sometimes causes foot movement to become restricted leading to extra stress at the ball-of-the-foot, and possibly causing pain and the development of corns and calluses.
Cause
Claw toes result from a muscle imbalance which causes the ligaments and tendons to become unnaturally tight. This results in the joints curling downwards. Arthritis can also lead to many different forefoot deformities, including claw toes.
Treatment and Prevention
Why Do My Toes Curl
Changing the type of footwear worn is a very important step in the treatment of claw toes. When choosing a shoe, make sure the toe box (toe area) is high and broad, and can accommodate the claw toes. A shoe with a high, broad toe box will provide enough room in the forefoot area so that there is less friction against the toes. Other conservative treatments include using forefoot products designed to relieve claw toes, such as toe crests and hammer toe splints. These devices will help hold down the claw toe and provide relief to the forefoot. Gel toe shields and gel toe caps are also recommended to eliminate friction between the shoe and the toe, while providing comfort and lubrication. As a final resort, surgery can be performed to correct the deformity.