Do you have to break toes to fix a claw toe?

No: Clawing usually from joint deformity you have to striating the joint somehow, one of them to break the clawing by taking part of the bone.

Usually bone removal: If the toe is symptomatic, the surgery to straighten the toe will help. This usually involves removing a small portion of the toe to unbuckle the toe. Dr l.

Surgically cut: An incision is made overlying the contracted joint. The soft tissue attachments are released exposing the joint. The joint may be left separated or fusion of the ends may be attempted. For fusion, the cartilaginous ends of the bone are removed and the ends are approximated and stabilized via a wire, screw, pin, or implant. The contracted tendons may need to be cut or lengthened.