Children’s and Young People’s Orthopaedics
In general, curly toes do not usually require any treatment. It is very rare for curly toes to cause a functional problem provided that the nails are kept trim, and the edges filed down. Curly toes are not considered to be abnormal, and the shape of the foot should not affect your child’s activities.
What are curly toes?
Curly toes are usually present at birth and tend to affect the third, fourth or fifth toes on one or both feet. Curly toes are thought to develop because the tendons that connect under the toes are tight, pulling the toe under the next toe towards the underside of the foot. We do not know exactly what causes the tightening, but it is noted that it can be inherited through family generations.
It is one of the most common foot problems found in childhood.
Symptoms of curly toes
The main symptom is the visible curling of the toe. There may not be any other symptoms but can include hardening of the skin on top of the toes or the underside of the foot. Rarely, certain footwear may cause occasional pain and rubbing.
Treatment for curly toes
Usually, no treatment is required. If the toes become painful or cause rubbing despite good nail care, then a surgical procedure to release the tendons in the foot can be done. This would require a general anaesthetic. The risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, scarring, recurrence and damage to the blood supply causing loss of the toe (ischaemia).
Curly toes are generally left alone if they are not causing any problems. In many children the issue will resolve as they grow.
Who can I contact for advice?
For any further information, please contact:
Angela Riddle – Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse
Telephone: 01642 850850, Extension: 56266
Email: [email protected]
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