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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Involuntary curling of toes

by Marie S.
(Houston, Texas)

From time to time, my 3rd, 4th, and 5th toes will curl under without my control, almost as if trying to make a fist. It is painful like a cramp and I have to remove my shoe and massage the area vigorously to get it to loosen. Is this consistent with hammertoes?

Hi Marie,

No, this is not consistent with hammertoes. Some hammertoes are so deformed that they will curl, but it is a constant curl.
To me, it sounds like you are experiencing night cramps even though you do not mention when this happens. Read my section on night cramps and see if this does not sound like your problem.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for Involuntary curling of toes

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Feb 18, 2016
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toes spasms
by: Anonymous

It has taken me years to realize that the worsening of my bunions is causing my other toes to have spasms. It is not the same as night cramps. When you have your great toe pressing against the others all day long and walking in that fashion it will throw the other toes out of alignment along with the muscles and ligaments. It is now also causing ankle and shin pain in my right leg. I wear the bunion cushions and without them I have terrible pain and spasms. I believe its time for surgery and wondering how long it will put me out of driving.

Sep 09, 2015
Rating

try eating less sugar
by: Linda

Besides the regiment I suggested taking each evening below, I suggest eating less sugar. If I have had a lot of sugar in one day, I will have the involuntary curling of my toes regardless. Without much sugar, the regiment below keeps them from curling at night.

Sep 08, 2015
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toe curls and cramps
by: mLinda

my feet have been like this since I was a child of 4and 5 my mom would walk me across the floor I would like to know what causes it I have not given any answers

Jul 24, 2015
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feet numbness and toe curling
by: MJC

I am a 67 year old male who developed numbness in my feet over the past several years. I've been to a neurologist who ran tests and said there was really nothing they could do about it. I tried b complex doesn't seem to help. But just recently noticed sitting in my recliner barefooted involuntary flickering and curling of my second fourth and fifth toe on my right foot. Less movement on my left,happens so slowly and without feeling the movement, wouldn't have noticed it if I wasn't looking fo it.

Apr 29, 2015
Rating

toes curl down especially with shoes on
by: Anonymous

For 3 yrs now my toes on one foot curl down. It's not a cramp, but if I don't get them back up it starts to cramp. A lot worse with shoes on. Toes press the ground hard. But I can sort of walk if I go real slow and concentrate on relaxing my foot to get my toes up. Doctors have no clue.

Apr 28, 2015
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my solution
by: Linda

Try Calcium, 600mg (with Magnesium 250mg), D3 (400iu) & B6 (50mg) in the evenings with a good amount of water and keeping your toes warm. If I forget the regiment one night, I have issues again. But keeping up with it keeps me pretty much from having issues, unless my feet get too cold.

Apr 27, 2015
Rating

curling and tingling toes
by: Anonymous

My podiatrist said to take Vitamin B complex and see a Neurologist.
The Neuro said try taking gabapentin, 3 a day for months
Neither has helped.

It seems to be a pinched nerve, feels worse when I lay down or try to cross legs.

Surgeon said I don't need back surgery, try a spinal block

Mar 25, 2015
Rating

4th toe curling while walking
by: Johanne

This only happens when I walk with shoes...If I am bare feet, no issues...

Mar 04, 2015
Rating

foot problem
by: alex

After walking for 30m my toes begin to tingle then the big toe starts to point upwards while the others curl back while pressing down hard onto the inside sole of the shoe after a couple of strides the foot turns and then I am walking on the outside of the foot.After 5min rest I can carry on for a bit then the problem repeats itself.The rest is required because walking on the outside of the foot is too painful

Mar 11, 2014
Rating

solution found for me
by: LJ

I have less and less of the curling toes issue if I take calcium, D3, and B6 about a hour before I go to bed each night since most of my toe curling happens shortly after I lye down to sleep or while I am sleeping. If I neglect to take these one or two nights, the toe curling returns full force.

Mar 11, 2014
Rating

me too but
by: Anonymous

I have been getting them for years simply it seems by certain movements when I am sitting or lying down. They go away after I stand up and put my foot down flat a step up and down. They went away for a while, I don't know why. I remember thinking that I have not gotten them in a while and it was not long before they returned.

Mar 12, 2012
Rating

Soap is the answer
by: Anonymous

I don't know why but I occassionally get painful cramps in my feet curling my toes and sometimes running up my leg. It happens at night usually when I just go to bed or after I have fallen asleep abruptly waking me. I have small pieces of soap available which I put in a ped on each foot and I am good for the rest of the night. Many friends of mine keep soap in their beds under the sheet and swear this will prevent leg and foot cramps altogether. I prefer to address the problem as it presents as the big bar of soap seems to move around and I cannot find it when I need it. Sounds crazy, but it works! BTW you have to do something, the pain is intolerale.

Oct 06, 2011
Rating

Me too
by: LJ

The involuntary curling of my toes occurs sometimes at night, but also sometimes while I am sitting up or standing - not after exercise. I work extensively in my yard on the weekends and sit all day during the week at my place of work. I do not have the problem immediately after either. It's usually when I am relaxed. Could it possibly be attributed to dehydration or not enough potassium or sodium?

Jun 28, 2011
Rating

Toe curls after exercise!
by: Ben

this happens to me too and 100% of the time it is following intense exertion from some other part of the body, say situps or shoveling alot of sand. Every workout is not followed by my toes curling, but it only happens after this intense kind of exertion. Once it happened so bad that my 4th toe turned black and blue from me involuntarily stepping on it.

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Regards,

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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location unknown

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Whichita, KS

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Boston, MA

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

Involuntary curling of toes

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