CURLY TOES (CLINODACTYLY)
EXTRA TOES (POLYDACTYLY)
John Goodner D.P.M., D.A.B.F.A.S., F.A.C.F.A.S.
Robert H. Sheinberg, D.P.M., D.A.B.F.A.S., F.A.C.F.A.S.
Curly toes are very common in young children. They cause the toes to start to curl under, creating visual deformities often noticed by the parents. Early intervention is critical in treating this condition, an examination should be performed by a Pediatric Foot and Ankle Specialist before children become symptomatic. This condition commonly resolves on its own as the foot grows, but should be monitored closely to observe any worsening of symptoms or appearance. Surgical intervention is indicated only for severe and symptomatic patients, often the pain becomes limting in daily activities and sports. Preventative measures must be taken when the following occur: recurrent nail dystrophy, ingrown nails, paronychia infections, friction blisters, painful callus, loss of nails, crossing over of toes, and multiple toe involvement.
CAUSES:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Abnormally tight flexor tendons which pull the toes down and in towards the big toe.
- Abnormal bone structure (middle phalanx) which tends to cause the toe to lean in one direction or the other.
- Excessively long toes coupled with closed shoes.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
- Most commonly affect the fourth and fifth toes. They appear to be rotated and leaned on their side.
- Occasional nail deformity, especially the small toe.
- When occurs may cause the third or second toe to drift in the up direction.
- The fourth toe may begin to touch the second toe as the third toe drifts up.
- When the third toe may drift under the second toe causing the second toe to drift up. The third toe can come close to touching the first.
- More apparent on weight-bearing than off weight-bearing.
- Rarely associated with pain in closed shoes.
- Rarely associated with redness or inflammation.
- Rarely associated with pain during activity.
- Does not affect the child during running activities.
TREATMENT:
- Identify the deformity and its primary cause (bone and/or tendon).
- Taping should be tried but may be of limited benefit. Taping the toe into a rectus posture may have limited benefit due to the difficulty in maintaining the toe with tape in the correct posture.
- If minimal pain, wearing shoes to take stress off of the long or elevated toe thus preventing pain and further deformity.
- Wider toe boxed shoes with mesh material can alleviate irritiation. Toe pads and spacers can be of limited benefit.
- If pain and deformity have not responded to taping and a change in shoe gear, surgery can be performed to correct the problem. Surgery is aimed at releasing the tendon contracture (flexor tendon). This will eliminate the deformity in almost all cases. If the toe is abnormally long there is a chance of recurrence when the child becomes a teenager or young adult and returns to tight shoe gear. If the toe is of normal length, recurrence is rare. Surgery on an abnormal bone structure should not be performed in this condition unless there has been skeletal maturity.
PROGNOSIS:
Prognosis is excellent in almost all cases. If the deformity of the toe is placing the other digits in an abnormal posture (elevated) conservative care should be first tried. However, surgery should not be delayed because the delay will make the other toes abnormal, causing problems with shoe gear as a teenager or young adult.
PEDIATRIC TOE DISORDERS: OPERATIVE PICTURES AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION
2ND DIGIT CURLY TOE CLINICAL PRESENTATION
3RD DIGIT CURLY TOE CLINICAL PRESENTATION
Intraop pics of clinodactyly before and during flexor release.
3RD DIGIT CURLY TOE FLEXOR TENDON RELEASE
PEDIATRIC EXTRA TOES (POLYDACTYLY) SURGICAL PICTURES
Intraop Pics of Extra Toe (Polydactyly) Surgically Removed below
PEDIATRIC EXTRA TOES (POLYDACTYLY) SURGICAL PICTURES
These are operative pictures of a child who had an enlarged fifth toe with a full extra set of bones that were removed to make the toe look more anatomic.
PEDIATRIC ABSENCE OF TOES
Photos of a child whose toes have not fully developed below
