Involuntary curling of toes

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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

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Involuntary curling of toes

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Mar 12, 2012
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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
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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
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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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Involuntary curling of toes

Comments for Involuntary curling of toes

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Involuntary curling of toes