Less invasive surgical procedures are being developed for hammertoes. You may also have a procedure to rebalance the ligaments and tendons around the base of the toe or a procedure to cut and shorten the bones. You may have a PIP joint fusion for a hammertoe and a different procedure for a bunion. If more than one toe is operated on, the procedures may vary. вЂњWe can operate on more than one toe at a time, but we usually address only one foot at a time,вЂќ says Dr. Over time, the pressure this puts on the second toe can cause a hammertoe.ДЄ bunion and multiple hammertoes often will be addressed in one surgery. With a bunion, the big toe bends toward the second toe. ItвЂ™s common to have multiple hammertoes as well as a bunion. When you have hammertoe in more than one toe Or, the next toe over could become destabilized and prone to develop a hammertoe. ThereвЂ™s another joint underneath the toenail that may develop a deformity. Hammertoe surgery is usually done in the middle joint of the toe. ItвЂ™s not always in the same joint or even the same toe. Hammertoe reoccurs in about 5 to 10% of people who have surgery. The fixation device loosens or becomes painful in about 1 to 3% of people. вЂњThe most common complaint is stiffness and swelling of the toe, which can last for a few months,вЂќ says Dr. The surgery is successful 80 to 90% of the time, and the rate of complications is very low. вЂњIt can take eight to 12 weeks before you are able to wear most of your shoes,вЂќ says Dr. YouвЂ™ll wear a postsurgical shoe that offloads weight for four to six weeks. Botek.Д«oth surgical procedures are done in an outpatient setting under light sedation. вЂњAn advantage is it will hold the toe stable in a reliable position, even if you stub your toe or otherwise injure your foot later on,вЂќ says Dr.

These donвЂ™t stick out, and they arenвЂ™t removed. With a newer approach, rods and screws are permanently implanted in the toe. вЂњWe put a little ball at the end so it doesnвЂ™t catch, and we cover the foot with a soft dressing, but most patients donвЂ™t like those.вЂќ A newer surgical procedure is now available вЂњThe K-wire is a stainless steel pin that sticks out the front of your toe-kind of like a shish kebab,вЂќ says Dr. A wire (called a K-wire) is inserted to hold them in place for three to six weeks while they naturally fuse together. The traditional way to do this is by cutting the ends of the bones in the joint and joining them together. The toe is straightened and stabilized by permanently fusing the two bones together. The most common surgical procedure for hammertoes is proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fusion. вЂњThere may come a time when you canвЂ™t fit into shoes that you need to wear,вЂќ she says. вЂњI donвЂ™t usually advise surgery just to fit into shoes,вЂќ says Dr. Surgery is done for severe deformities that are fixed and immobile and causing pain.

Hammertoes that are flexible and donвЂ™t cause pain are considered mild to moderate. The number one reason to have surgery is pain. Botek says there are recent advancements in the procedure that make it more effective over the long term. If hammertoes become stiff, painful and limit activity, surgery may be warranted. When surgery for hammertoe is your best option Splints, like Yoga Toes В®, can we worn while youвЂ™re sleeping or sitting for long periods. вЂњIf we can keep toes flexible, theyвЂ™re less painful,вЂќ says Dr. Toe exercises can strengthen your small muscles to maintain flexibility. Some people find shoes made with mesh or sandals more comfortable. Wearing shoes with a wide and deep toe box can help prevent corns and calluses that you often get when you have hammertoe. Hammertoes can usually be managed by nonsurgical methods, including:Д¬areful choice of shoes. But you shouldnвЂ™t immediately jump to thinking you need surgery. This abnormal bending of the toes is certainly common, especially for women, says podiatrist Georgeanne Botek, DPM. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

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Hammer toe