Hammertoes

A hammertoe is a buckling or contraction of the toe where the end of the toe is positioned toward the floor. The top of the toe may rub against shoes causing it to become irritated and there may be a red spot or "corn" present.

Treatment options for a hammertoe include both surgical and non-surgical methods. Non-surgical treatment of a hammertoe includes padding of the boney prominence or shoes with a deeper toe box area in an attempt to decrease pressure over the toe. If a corn or callus is present it can be reduced. Non-surgical treatment will not get rid of the hammertoe. Surgical treatment is intended to get rid of the boney prominence and restore alignment to the toe.

Surgical treatment of a hammertoe actually gets rid of the boney prominence. This helps restore alignment to the toe and relieves shoe pressure. The surgery can be done either under "twilight anesthesia" or a simple local anesthetic block of the toe. The procedure involves removal of a portion of bone and in some cases fusion of a joint with the toe in a realigned position. The patient is able to bear weight immediately following this procedure in a protective postoperative shoe..