Strapping of curly toes in children

This is a retrospective review of 49 children with curly toes treated by strapping; 24 children (44 toes) presented for review. The strapping produced improvement in 68% of toes while strapping was maintained, but there was a statistically significant loss of correction once strapping was stopped. There was some sustained improvement in the shape of the toes compared with the natural history, but not sufficient to warrant its use for this minor congenital deformity. Treatment should be reserved for the more severely deformed toe, as this may cause symptoms in later life, and the author recommends open flexor tenotomy.