When a toenail is curved and so greatly thickened that it looks more like a claw, we are dealing with a condition medically known as onychogryphosis.
This nail deformity occurs, according to Cutis (34:480), if toenails are not trimmed often enough and are allowed to grow to too great a length. Pressure from socks and shoes on the ends of the long nails bends them downwards and exerts leverage on their roots, irritating them and causing them to produce much thicker nails than usual. Since claw nails are difficult to cut, they tend to be further neglected and become still thicker and longer. Not surprisingly, therefore, most physicians believe them to be irreversible.
A case reported in Cutis, however, demonstrates that claw nails can be reversed. To achieve this, the affected nails must be cut back and trimmed to relieve the nail roots of leverage. This requires professional help repeatedly. Also, until a new nail has formed, the feet must be rested most of the time.
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