Correcting Hammer Toe Deformities With Surgery to Prevent Future Problems

Free Resource: www.HammerToeBook.com
To Request an appointment with Dr. Schneider: referdrschneider.com
A #hammertoe is a very common deformity. While surgery is not always necessary, some people have persistent pain that makes surgical correction the best choice for them. My name is Dr. Andrew Schneider, and I'm a podiatrist in Houston, Texas. Hammer toes are commonly seen in all podiatry offices. They often become painful. That's why it's best to address them before they become painful or problematic.
A hammer toe is a foot deformity when the toe buckles up at the joints of the toe, giving it a hammered appearance. A hammer toe often becomes painful. This pain can be because of the pressure of the toe against the shoe. It may be because of the pressure at the joint between the foot and the toe. There also may be painful corns, soft corns, or calluses that form because of the pressure. Sometimes, non-surgical treatment of a hammer toe relieves the pain and solves the problem. Unfortunately, there are some people who continue to have pain and need a more permanent correction for the toe. This is accomplished with surgical procedures.
When I plan for your #HammertoeSurgery, I focus on the joints that are contracted. In all cases, a small amount of bone is removed from the joint. This allows the joint to decompress and the toe can straighten out. If more than one joint is contracted such as in a #clawtoe, I may end up working on both joints of the toe. If there's a contracture where the toe meets the foot, and the toe is popping up at the base, I perform an additional procedure that releases the soft tissue that's become contracted over time. A procedure like that doesn't change the post-operative course or recovery whatsoever.
In many cases, the procedure I described takes care of the problem. If the hammer toe is rigid, where I can't straighten the toe out when I pull on it, a better choice would be to fuse the toe. It would stop the toe from bending at the problematic joint, but the function of the toe will be unaffected. This can be accomplished with using a pin that's pulled in several weeks in the office. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. I could also sometimes use an implant that stays in the toe. That's really dependent on if your insurance plan will cover it.
When the toe is rotated, as we often see in the fourth and fifth toes, I want to make sure the toe is rotated back into a proper position. To do this, I use a special incision designed to derotate the toes when it's closed. It works well to get the toes back into alignment.
You'll have a bandage on your foot after surgery. In most cases, you'll be able to bear weight in a surgical shoe. That said, it's essential that you keep your foot elevated for the first several days to protect against swelling. Sutures typically stay in the toe for two to three weeks. If there's a pin in your toe, it comes out at three to four weeks. You're able to return to shoes shortly after, depending on how much your toe and foot is swollen. You'll usually be back to full activity in eight to 12 weeks after the surgery.
00:00 Introduction
00:57 What is a Hammer Toe?
01:38 Surgical Treatment of a Hammer Toe
02:25 Surgically Fusing a Rigid Hammertoe
02;54 Using Surgery to Correct a Rotated Toe
03:12 Postoperative Course after Hammer Toe Surgery
04:08 How to Connect with Houston Podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider

[@leticiamarie1324]

Thanks for this video

[@carolinetruslove2802]

Just had my toe opperated on yesterday .Have 2 pins hanging out the end. They'll be taken out at 6 wks. So far no pain !!

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

Fantastic! Hope it continues to go as smoothly.

[@tombreen7927]

Can I ask was it a success ? Looking to get mine sorted

[@darcusann]

So happy for you and glad to hear about the pain level! That’s awesome! I’m having my hammertoe surgery next week! Anxious to get this over with! It’s been long overdue so it’s very painful now.

[@pewaamunyela8572]

Good day Dr I plan on getting hammer toe surgery done. however wanted to know how long is recovery and will I be able to bend my toes, what are the disadvantages in terms of mobility and stretch of the feet? Will my toes have the same support for example when wearing heels?

[@terriliggett544]

More questions. My 2nd hammertoe is semi rigid but very painful on the base of toe. Im also getting radiating pain in my 2nd extensor tendon, and more recently radiating pain on the bottom of my foot from the base of the toe to the metatarsal head and sometimes farther up. I cannot walk on this foot without wearing correct toes. I am worried that surgery won’t work. Do you know if a surgeon in Sacramento, ca?

[@honeygingertees6419]

When you have hammertoe surgery all the corns automatically be removed and new skin grow over the old?

[@terriliggett544]

I’ve read a lot about unsuccessful surgeries. How do I find a really good surgeon in Sacramento to do complex hammertoe surgery? Thanks for your videos. Very helpful.

[@terriliggett5377]

My 2nd toe is rotated and semi-rigid. My big toe is floating after bunion surgery 2 years ago, so the second toe rotates even more on each step and it is taking too much force during gait. The 2nd toe is also very skinny now. This is happening on my 2nd toe on the other foot. Will correct toes help until I can get surgery?

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

Correct toes, yoga toes, etc are helpful to stretch the soft tissue surrounding the joints of the toes. They will not stop the toes from fully shifting around because of your prior surgery, but can keep them more comfortable and manageable.

[@JennyJardin]

Do you operate on both feet at the same time?

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

I recommend operating on one foot at a time. You need a good foot to default to as you're recovering.

[@denise8216]

1/25/2022 Dr. Andrew, I not only have a hammer toe but I have a bunion nxt to the hammer toe the bunion is on left foot big toe next to it is hammer toe which doesn't hurt or straighten out. I'm 59 and I'm wondering what to do because the calluses hurt on right side of bunion. Should I try 3d lapiplasty? Or what? I live in Wilmington Nc and I can't take pain much more in a closed shoe( winter) please help! Denise

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

Depending on the extent of the bunion, a Lapiplasty is a good procedure. Have the hammertoe corrected at the same time. Even though it doesn’t hurt, it likely will down the road. Get yourself to a good podiatrist and see what procedure is best for your specific condition. You definitely deserve pain relief!

[@karenpalmer3489]

Very helpful.

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching!

[@denise8216]

@Dr. Andrew Schneider please see my message asap. 🙏 Tyou!! 1/25/22

[@peepmay729]

Dr Andrew, I had bunion surgery in Aug. I also had that long pin in the second toe. The pin has been removed now but my second does not bend any more. Shoes are hard to get on and off. When I went for x-rays and ask to see them, well I know why my toe won't bend, he screwed my toe down. Is it normal to screw a toe down that has been infused? It feels like I'm walking on a rock. I go back in June. I'm wondering if it can be taken out and will it bend again? Thank you

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

It sounds like he put in a hammer toe implant. It’s a common way to correct a hammer toe but, yes, you can’t bend the toe. Most can be removed, although it’s questionable how mobile your toe will be afterwards. I would revisit with the surgeon earlier than June.

[@peepmay729]

@@DrAndrewSchneider hi Dr Andrew. It was a Morton toe and the screw is vertical in my toe. Not an implant. Thank you for your reply and advice.

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

@@peepmay729 having a hard time picturing it. Regardless, if you’re unhappy with how it feels, you should follow up.

[@peepmay729]

@@DrAndrewSchneider ok thank you.

[@blah7694]

What did you do in the end?

[@seapearl27]

Had my hammertoe procedure of both my pinky toes. I get the pins removed in a week, do you know if that’ll be painful? I’m getting tired of walking like a penguin the past 2 weeks, I want these pins removed.

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

Generally speaking, removing pins are a nonevent. It's very quick and should not be painful. If you feel anything at all, it will be a quick and fleeting sensation. You shouldn't worry about it.

[@yvonnetemple3579]

Just had both of my pinky toes done today..

[@seapearl27]

@@yvonnetemple3579 really? Be prepared to be bedridden for a few days. I only got up to use the bathroom and shower. It was a painful recovery, more when you walk. Tell me how it goes. The first 2 weeks will suck, then it’ll slowly gets better.

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

@@yvonnetemple3579 Hope it went well!

[@nemanjabojovic6172]

Mr. Andrew, do you have an email address, where I can ask you something about my problem? Thanks in advance

[@DrAndrewSchneider]

You can contact me through my website at www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com/contact.cfm