I hate to ask but did you have your cat declawed? Contrary to what some people think it is total mutilation. I feed a few outside cats and just recently noticed that two of them had their front claws removed - they are all cats which were dropped off in the woods near my house - the two who were "detoed" both have very gangly front feet and walk very much on the backs of their feet - the poor things... I hope that isn't what it is, for the love of your cat, but if you did have it's claws removed, consider it a possibility...