A hammertoe refers to a deformity whereby the middle section of your toe bends, making your toe take the shape of a claw or hammer. The deformity makes your toes look unattractive and causes pain. If you have a hammertoe, consider getting treatment to restore your toes' beauty and enjoy comfort while wearing closed shoes. Surgical treatment is effective and can fix the deformity permanently. If you want to undergo hammertoe surgery or would like to know more about it, here's everything you should know about the operation.

Hammertoe Surgery: What It Entails

The surgical treatment of hammertoes entails cutting the skin on the affected toe to reach the affected joint. Then, your doctor straightens the bent bone, restoring your toe's natural form. The various surgical options include:

• Fusion. The process entails cutting the ends of the deformed bone. Then, surgeons insert a pin or wire to align the deformed toe. The doctors eliminate the pin eventually after fusion of the bone's ends.

• Tendon transfer. The treatment entails pulling the tendons around the bent joint above the joint to align the toe.

• Joint resection. Doctors eliminate the ends of the deformed bone and insert temporary pins for straightening the toe.

Your doctor will assess your deformity in relation to your overall health and select the ideal surgical technique.

Potential Hammertoe Surgery Risks

Hammertoe surgery comes with numerous risks. For instance, you may experience pain on the operated toe post-surgery. Additionally, your balance may feel unstable, particularly if multiple toes are affected. This is because doctors cut tendons and ligaments interfering with foot functions for some time. Your surgeon should explain to you all the potential risks to manage the risks better. This helps take care of any doubts you may have regarding surgical treatment.

Hammertoe Surgery Aftercare

You may experience post-surgery pain, swelling, and soreness of the treated area. Therefore, your doctor may give you pain medication, shoe inserts, or special footwear. Additionally, keep your foot elevated and avoid putting excess force on your foot for some time. If you must walk, use crutches or a wheelchair. Likewise, exercise your feet regularly to speed up healing. Moreover, attend all your post-surgery appointments for your doctor to assess your healing progress and identify any complications that may occur. Overall, proper post-surgery care can help you recover quickly.

What hammertoe surgery entails, its risks, and post-surgery care sum up everything you should know about hammertoe surgical treatment. Understanding this information will help you undergo your scheduled foot surgery more confidently.