Hammertoes & Curly Toes in Children

Pediatric Hammertoes are contractures seen in the toes where the toe is pulling back or "hammering" into the ground, or folding up over another toe. This can be seen in either all of the toes or in just one or two isolated toes. For most children, these are not systematic, nor do they cause pain or problems.
Hammertoes and curly toes are common in children and caused by the tendon specific to that toe pulling more than the surrounding tendons associated with the other toes. In some instances, children's hammertoes can cause problems and should be seen by a doctor or pediatric podiatrist. There are treatment options.
In this video, Dr. Mikkel Jarman, with Pediatric Foot & Ankle, goes over the causes and treatment of hammertoes in children and when you should see a doctor about this condition.
#PediatricFootandAnkle #hammertoes #DrMikkelJarman
Dr. Mikkel Jarman with Pediatric Foot & Ankle is a pediatric podiatrist in Phoenix, Arizona.
Learn more: pediatricfootankle.com/doctors/
Pediatric Foot & Ankle
Dr. Mikkel Jarman, DPM - Pediatric Podiatrist in Phoenix, AZ (Children’s foot doctor)
Address: 30 S Kyrene Rd #3, Chandler, AZ 85226
Phone: [phone]
Website: pediatricfootankle.com/
Facebook: pediatricfoot/
Google My Business: g.page/PediatricFootAnkle?gm
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Outside of Arizona?
Schedule a virtual consultation with Dr. Jarman:
pediatricfootankle.com/traveling-out-of-state-pediatric-podiatry-care/

[@sadeekahsaban162]

Dr please can you advise what happens to the curly toe after you release the tendon to straighten it out. Meaning can it function normally afterwards or does it affect the normal functioning of the toe or foot. Thanks

[@chrisst8922]

Surely you need those tendons for the spring in your step. Maybe cut one on each foot but not say, three on each foot. For that you need that cut and shorten the top tendon surgery I've seen.

[@sherieharper4091]

What if you're an adult and you didn't understand it as a child in your life 44 I'm wondering if it's the weirdest thing right and all they did was put cast on my legs and I had braces that they had to put me on but I never understood it through even these years I want to know why at birth would take place

[@veronicaarellano6595]

Im 30 and have curly toes so does my mother and do not hurt jusg embarrassing and do not wear sandals òr shoes that show toes its so sad

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Glad you have no discomfort. If you chose to have the condition addressed, a consult with a local podiatrist would be a good place to start. Thanks for watching our video.

[@saramccoy3936]

Is buddy taping worth a try if the child has no pain from this deformity?

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Its worth a try. If the child is young enough there may be some improvement. Regular stretching every day may also help to elongate the tendon. Doing the Flexor Tenotomy in the office tends to have very reproducible corrective outcomes. There would be no harm in taping. Dr. Jarman

[@saramccoy3936]

@@PediatricFootAnkle thank you so much for the response!

[@johntaddeo4306]

Is this really ideal versus an athrodesis? What are the chances this toe will elevate over time?

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Hello John and thanks for your comments. If you ever have a doctor recommend an arthrodesis (toe fusion) on a pediatric patient with open growth plates, please report them to the medical board.... Toe joint fusions are contraindicated in any and all pediatric patients short of traumatic injuries where no other options exist. I hope this helps. Dr. Jarman

[@eawhite09]

hi! my daughter has a curly toe on each foot. The exact toe on each side. What are the odds? Can you recommend a doctor in the San Diego area to do this?

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Thank you for your comment/question. We do not know of a specific pediatric podiatrist in your area. However, you could visit the site for the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and do a search for a doctor in your area. If you can find one that works specifically with children, that would be best. The link is noted below. abpmed.org/

[@deekshitkumar77]

My kid has the same issue since birth, now he is 8 months, I am concerned about that. Can I find some solution?

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

My recommendation is to have them seen by a specialist that sees and treats these types of conditions daily. Thanks, Dr. Jarman

[@Rosa12Teresa]

How is you child doing with their curly toes? Mine is 8 months now and just realized it’s something more serious than I thought.

[@ladymepeece3038]

How soon can they get surgery?

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Hello and thanks for your comments. Just depends on what condition they have and what procedure would be best to correct the issue. Usually the younger the better the outcome and recover. I hope this helps. Dr. Jarman

[@Knottyautumn]

The first example will cause a problem .. they will develop bunions and bunionette , poor gait , flat feet and pronation problems. Everything starts with your feet take me for an example with curly toes on both feet at 20 years old.

[@Knottyautumn]

@dr.karenward8404 yes since birth

[@lizardman1303]

What age do u do this

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Both children and adults can be treated for hammertoes. We recommend early intervention because it has a higher success rate and is a less invasive procedure used to treat hammertoe in adults. Children as young as infant can be treated for hammertoes. Hope that helps! - Pediatric Foot & Ankle

[@sherieharper4091]

Well it was on my foot because my toes were curly and they put gas and then my dad didn't understand the leg brace and broke them he was upset to hear that I had leg braces at that time that I was young and now I'm having some weird things go on in my feet with type 2 diabetes and other health I'm just wondering I went to a doctor a foot doctor who blamed me for my conditions with my feet because I had pain in my feet it's just I know I'm not saying I wasn't with it's not the easiest diabetic but I really didn't like how he made me feel he couldn't even tell anything about my feet just limited information

[@PediatricFootAnkle]

Thank you for watching our video. It sounds like you would benefit from a podiatry consult. A good provider will take x-rays, listen to you, then explain the dynamics of your feet, identify any concerns and recommend a treatment plan. The link below may help you find a qualified provider in your area. Read the reviews on the doctor and the practice, always some insight there too. www.apma.org/Directory/FindAPodiatrist