Do You Need Hammer Toe Surgery?

Hammer toe can be an extremely serious condition that can make it difficult to walk or even wear shoes. Most of the time it can be treated conservatively, but there are times where hammer toe surgery may be needed. Here are some ways to tell if you are a candidate for a surgical procedure.

Conservative Options

Most people who have hammer toe will try to have it treated through conventional methods, including changing footwear, padding and other options. However, if you try conventional treatment options and you are still not finding relief, then you may need hammer toe surgery. The type of procedure you have will depend largely on how much flexibility you have in the toe.

However, any type of surgery is obviously very serious, so you need to have a thorough discussion with your doctor before you have any sort of procedure performed.

Surgery Details

Most of the time, hammer toe surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, so you can g
o home the same day. It may be done under general anesthesia, or the anesthetic may only be applied to the affected area. If your toe is flexible, your doctor may recommend straightening it by re-routing tendons in a manner that will pull the toe in the correct position. If your toe is stiff, then tendons or ligaments may need to be cut and the end of the bone removed.

At Southwest Foot and Ankle Center, our doctors have a great deal of experience in performing hammer toe surgery and a well-established track record of success. If you would like to schedule an examination, please contact us online or give us a call at 972-318-2738 in Lewisville, 972-805-9985 in Plano or 972-318-2655 in Irving.