Any experience with operation to fix 'curly toes' please??

[Anothernamechanger1]

10 year old ds has had terrible toes since young, very almost clawed like. Saw podiatrists, physios etc when younger and nothing helped. Today (after 6 month wait!) we saw an orthopaedic surgeon. He said 3 of his toes have 'curly toe' and the second toe in is what they call 'hammer toe'. He said we could wait until he's 16ish to either wait to see if the tendons sort them selves out (probably won't) or operate now as they are hurting him. Ds and I had discussed operations as we saw gp who said it would probably mean re - setting the bones. (Although we've been told the bones are ok) so... Cutting the tendons sounds quite dramatic and at first I thought no way! ESP when I asked the risks which were mainly the toes could return the same way in a few years and possibility of problems with the joints. Ds wants the operation so Iv said ok put us on the wait list. He needs both feet doing but obviously will do one at a time. He talked about the possibility of putting pins/wire down the toes if just cutting the tendons didn't automatically straighten them but didn't he was foreign and I may have misunderstood that part.

I just wondered if anyone had any experiences of this operation? We have a holiday abroad booked March so Iv asked he doesn't have it done before then so we have a while to get our heads around it!

Tia

Bump

My husband had curly toes when he was young, about the same age as your DS.

It became difficult for him to walk properly so he had the operation to cut the tendons. That was all that needed doing and he hasn't had a any problems since.

Thanks for replying. Does he have the same movement in his toes as you do? The consultant spoke about he may not na able to scrunch and flex his toes after? That made me a little sad!

Ds had his toes straightened last year by releasing the tendons. He has full movement in the toes now.

His look like they maybe starting to move back how they were though, although so far not as bad. In which case he would need the breaking/pinning option but I am hoping that isn't needed!

My DD had two toes on each for like this and she had surgery three years ago when she was four to cut the tendons. They did both feet at the same time and we were discharged by 2.30pm. She had only minor discomfort the next day and was walking on her bandaged feet. She did have nearly two weeks off school as she was in reception at the time and the teacher was worried about the others and my DD catching her toes with the chairs etc. She's had no problems since.

Thank you both! He said he wouldn't do this operation on younger children but would at his age. He did say there was a risk of them curling back in a few years and would need the operation again... But I guess if we've been through it once we'd know what to expect second time around. He said he would do one foot at a time. He also said he would leave hospital with crutches but I think just for a few days? I hope he recovers well as this is going to have a knock on affect to my new job, as a LP, I won't get paid if I'm not in work. Maybe I should start trying to work a few extra days in the new year. Did your DC have disposable stitches?

Yes DD had dissolvable stitches and we did have a follow up appointment a week later with the surgeon. For us, it was a relatively straight forward operation which has caused DD no issues so far.

Thanks it's nice to have some positive experiences. Did she have crutches? I wonder how long he will need them?

Hi Ds had his done last year he was 7 at the time. He had both feet done at once. He didn't have crutches or wheelchair but had to keep bandages clean and dry.
He was out the same day and the op has been successful up to now and he plays football non stop

Thanks one. I can't find any info with regards to a child having curly toes aswell as hammer toe? It seemed he will be doing the same to that toe as the curly toes?

Yes my Ds has both and it was exactly the same operation

I would also say get both feet done at once or he may not want to have the other foot done

I have hammer toes and have had them since childhood - inherited from my dad who has them

My mother refused to let me and my brothers have the op, and said she could 'cure' us by massaging our toes to stretch the tendons

Suffice to say it didn't work and I have had arthritis in my middle and 4th toes on both sides since my late 20s. Very painful in cold weather and I can't wear open toed shoes because my feet look so awful.

I wish, wish I had the op done earlier. I could have it done now but because the joints are so arthritic, it probably won't help very much

one why do you say that? About not wanting to do the other foot later? The surgeon said that would be better or him? Is it the recovery? He made it seem quite simple? Although I'm sure it wouldn't be esp with kids! It sounds grim ESP as he said if the toes don't straighten when the tendon is cut he would put some sort of pin/wire in them....

spare that's a real shame for you! I'm glad there is something they can do for him. They are really bad, the last 3 sort of sit completely the wrong way the poor thing

Just going on my ds experience after the inconvenience and unpleasantness. He said he wouldn't of had the other foot done if they'd been done separate

Ah man I won't tell ds that then! Iv had a google about the recovery in kids and Iv only read positive responses.... How the kids were back up on their feet walking within hours with no problems etc.... I wonder how likely this is?

I wonder also then why the surgeon said do them seperately? I didn't think to question it obviously as wasn't even thinking he would recommend surgery let alone twice.

So I've just spoken to the hospital and have been offered 2 weeks today for one of the operations! Eek. So have gone from in 5+ months time to 2 weeks! This is a good thing though. Have pre op next week, will the nurses be able to answer about why he has to have 2 seperate ops do you think? The admissions person I spoke to who obviously isn't medically trained said ds will probably leave on crutches. I wonder if that is why? Annoyingly we have afternoon surgery, I'm just gutted as I really don't want to have to stay over night with due to struggle with finding some where ds2 can go etc.

I have very curly toes. I was told it was due to my very high arches which cause the tendons to pull the toes back.

The middle toe on my right foot looks awful - I think it must be a hammer toe. But I have to say while they don't look very attractive, they've never given me any pain and I'm in my late 50s now.

I'm glad yours aren't hurting stone. Ds's are hurting him and have been for a while now and because of the pressure it is putting on his toe nails it's making his nails hard to cut as they sort of bend into the toe if that makes? As they can't grow straight out as he is always standing on them. He's glad he's having them fixed. He's sub consious of them now aswell which is sad.

My.brother had it, no issues afterwards. I would suggest yoga once full recovered as there are few other exercises that stretch and strengthen the toes. Stretching and mobilising the toes may reduce the risk of the problem reoccurring.

Won't be easy getting him to a yoga class but I have read there are specific excercises for the feet to do to prevent it re occurring, I shall ask about that at his pre op appointment !

There is a yoga accessory you can but called YogaToes which is a hardcore version of the things you put between your toes when you paint your nails
Might be worth looking in to?

I'm glad he's going to have them fixed. Foot pain can be so debilitating and if he's experiencing pain at such a young age it's good he's going to have it sorted out.

Plantar fasciitis is my foot problem so I sympathise with foot pain!

He's excited now Iv told him. Just have to make sure he doesn't get ill before then! Have told the school also.

I just wondered if there was anyone else about? He has had his pre op assessment but don't feel any the wiser. Lots of things that will have to be answered on the day. Doctor said outside 4 toes but on the form at pre op it said 3! Nurse didn't have a clue. I asked what sort of thing/dressing he would have, she didn't know?! I also mentioned crutches.... She said she didn't know!? She didn't know how long after he will need to be seen or anything so I'm feeling a little worried about un knowns! With his ASD as he has anxiety (I made sure I put that on and brought it up with her) I said he has needle phobia and is allergic to the numbing cream and that I wanted the cannula down whilst he was under the GA which she said was ok so that's something!