Hammer Toe Surgery: Your FAQs Answered

Some people can manage symptoms from hammer toes with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes don't help reduce your pain, surgery may be a solution to this foot condition. Read on for the most popular questions about hammer toes, treatment, surgery, and recovery.

What is the leading cause of hammer toes?

Hammer toe deformities develop when the toes contract abnormally due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the foot. Genetics, trauma, age, arthritis, certain diseases, and improper ill-fitting shoe gear for prolonged periods can contribute to the development of hammer toes. Hammer toes most commonly occur in the second, third, and fifth digits.

How do you treat a hammer toe?

Treatment of hammer toes depends on the severity of the deformity. Mild cases can be addressed with shoe modifications, prefabricated pads, toe straighteners, custom-made orthotics, and routine debridement of associated corns and calluses. However, advanced hammer toe deformities unrelieved with conservative care must be corrected with surgical intervention.

What does a hammer toe look like?

The small toes have two joints. The proximal joint, which is closer to the foot, and the distal joint, which is closer to the tip of the toe. A hammer toe forms when a toe is bent down or contracted at the proximal joint and typically presents with a painful corn on top of the joint.

What is the difference between hammer toes, claw toes, and mallet toes?

If a toe is contracted at the proximal toe joint, it is called a hammer toe. If the toe is bent both at the proximal and distal toe joints, it is called a claw toe. Claw toes present with corns on the top of both joints. A mallet toe occurs when the proximal joint is straight, and the distal toe joint is contracted.

Can hammer toes go away on their own?

Hammer toes will not resolve with time or on their own. However, you can delay the progression of hammer toe deformities with conservative treatments, including shoes with a wide and extra-depth toe box, digital retaining toe crests, sling-down splints, pads, strappings, custom molded orthotics, and periodic debridement of existing calluses.

What problems can hammer toes cause?

Hammer toe deformities can cause pain when walking and wearing shoes, particularly when frictional forces form painful corns and calluses. Hammer toes may also cause emotional distress due to the unsightly appearance of the toes.

Can a podiatrist help with a hammer toe?

Podiatrists are specialized Foot and Ankle surgeons who provide both conservative non-surgical and surgical treatments for hammer toe deformities.

Do hammer toe straighteners purchased on Amazon work?

Over-the-counter and online toe corrective splints and straighteners only temporarily relieve pain. In addition, advanced deformities will not resolve with conservative treatments and often require surgical correction.

When do you know you need hammer toe surgery?

It's time for hammer toe and corn removal surgery when conservative treatment fails to alleviate pain and suffering when walking or wearing shoes. Some people with hammer toe deformities also have other foot conditions, such as bunions, long metatarsals, and flat feet that may exacerbate hammer toe deformities. If you suffer from multiple foot ailments, your doctor may recommend treating all conditions for optimal results following hammer toe surgery. You should avoid surgery if you suffer from poor circulation in your feet, have an active infection, or have other health problems that could complicate or delay healing.

What does hammer toe surgery consist of?

Hammer toe surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis so that you can return home the same day of your surgery. The surgery aims to reposition the toe by removing the deformed, injured bone and then realign the tendons and the joints. The procedure selection depends on the severity of each toe. If the toe joint is flexible, the surgeon might only transfer the tendons to strengthen the toe or resect the joint. If the hammer toe is rigid, then the joint must be fused. Fusion is achieved by inserting either absorbable implants or titanium wires or screws that may be permanent or removable, depending on the stage of the deformity.

Is hammer toe surgery covered by insurance?

Most insurance companies cover hammer toe surgery. Our surgical coordinator can run your benefits to confirm your plan's coverage before scheduling.

How painful is hammer toe surgery?

Pain medications, icing, elevation, and limitation of standing and activity postoperatively, will keep pain levels to a bare minimum and help provide comfort throughout your recovery.

How long does it take to recover from hammer toe surgery?

Recovery from surgery typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on the surgical procedures. During this time, you will be weight-bearing in a stiff-soled surgical shoe. Your stitches will be removed 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. Most people transition to sneakers or comfortable shoes after the first month. Swelling of the toes may take up to a year to resolve after toe corrective procedures.

How soon after hammer toe surgery can I drive?

Driving is safe only when your doctor clears you to transition from a surgical shoe to sneakers or normal shoes after each foot surgery.