Is Hammertoe Surgery Worth It?

Living with foot pain can feel like an uphill battle. People who have struggled with a condition like hammertoe can certainly attest to that fact. Hammertoes occur when the muscles and/or tendons in the “little toes” place enough pressure on the joints to force the toes to curl downward. While there are some non-surgical treatments for hammertoes available, many individuals find that surgery is the best option to alleviate their foot pain. With that in mind, today we’ll take a closer look at this procedure and explain, is hammertoe surgery worth it? 

What Causes Hammertoes? 

Technically speaking, anyone can develop hammertoes at any point in their life. Since some people are genetically predisposed to hammertoes, it’s possible to get them quite young. Additionally, hammertoes may also be caused by external factors such as: 

• Tight-fitting shoes.
• Shoes with pointed toes. 
• High heels. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Prior foot injuries. 

Hammertoes develop over time because of pressure placed on the tendons and muscles in the foot. After years of stress, this can cause tendons to stiffen. When this happens, toes are unable to “relax” and they become curled. 

In general, women tend to experience hammertoes more often than men. 

Treating Hammertoe

Hammertoes often get worse with the passage of time. Individuals with “flexible” hammer toes –– i.e. toes that can still move –– may find some success using non-surgical treatments like specialized footwear, foot pads, physical therapy, or corrective devices. Unfortunately, many of these treatments only address the symptoms and pain associated with hammertoe –– rather than correcting the misalignment in the foot that is the root of the problem.

People with “rigid” hammertoes –– that can’t be moved –– probably won’t benefit much from non-surgical hammertoe treatments. In some extreme cases, untreated hammertoes may eventually have to be amputated to quell the pain. 
Now, to address our titular topic: is hammertoe surgery with it? For many, the answer is a resounding, “yes.” That’s because hammertoe surgery includes all of the following benefits:

• It’s effective. Our minimally invasive hammertoe surgery corrects the alignment of the foot and allows for pain-free movement. It relieves pain and fixes the problem.
• It’s fast. Isolated hammertoe correction typically takes about 5–10 minutes per toe. Patients walk normally right away and come out of the surgical shoe in about 1 week, sometimes 2, depending on the severity of the deformity and how they heal. Running, jumping, and forceful toe bending resume at about 6–8 weeks.
• It’s discreet. Modern hammertoe surgery leaves only minimal scarring and soft-tissue damage that heals quickly. When you can go back to work depends on your job and the procedures. Most patients with a desk job can go back to work immediately, and so can most patients with standing jobs that aren’t high-activity. If your job requires you to bend and flex dramatically, you should probably plan on 4 to 6 weeks off. You won’t be immobilized or have to plan for an extensive recovery period because of hammertoe surgery.

Contact Us

Living with hammertoes can be frustrating, painful, and potentially even debilitating. If you’re tired of dealing with foot pain –– or you want to correct an issue before it becomes painful –– then contact the professionals at Northwest Surgery Center today. Our team are experts in minimally invasive foot surgeries, and we can help you find a solution to your foot issues.