Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

How does foot and toe deformity typically present in motor neuropathy?

1. Flat feet and over-pronation

2. Claw toes and hammertoes

3. Swollen joints and bunions

4. Severe calluses and blisters

The correct answer is: Claw toes and hammertoes

In motor neuropathy, particularly when it affects the nerves controlling the muscles of the foot, the presentation can include specific deformities. Claw toes and hammertoes are common manifestations because the weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the foot leads to an imbalance in muscle function. This muscular imbalance causes the toes to bend at the joints, resulting in claw toes, where the toes bend upward at the base and downward at the middle joints. Hammertoes exhibit a similar pattern with excessive flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint. These deformities can develop because the weak muscles can no longer maintain the proper alignment of the toes during standing and walking, which can also lead to difficulties with gait and an increased risk for skin breakdown. This contrasts with other options presented, which do not typically arise from the muscular imbalances typical in motor neuropathy. For example, flat feet and over-pronation are often seen in conditions affecting sensory nerves, swollen joints and bunions are more frequently associated with inflammatory arthritis, and severe calluses and blisters indicate friction or pressure issues rather than intrinsic muscle weakness. Thus, the presence of claw toes and hammertoes is a direct reflection of the muscular dysfunction associated with motor neuropathy, highlighting the importance of understanding these