You have a hammertoe if one of your small toes is bent.
This can be caused by an imbalance in the muscles and tendons in your foot or by wearing shoes that are too tight for a long time.
During a percutaneous hammertoe correction, the orthopedic surgeon corrects the position of your toe through several small incisions in the skin.
Thanks to this minimally invasive approach, there is no large wound, and the scar remains minimal.
A hammertoe can cause bothersome symptoms.
You often feel pain when wearing shoes or when moving the toe.
Redness, swelling, and a corn or callus can develop on the bent joint or at the tip of the toe.
It can also become difficult to straighten the toe, and walking may become painful.
Non-surgical
Initially, your doctor will try to alleviate the symptoms without surgery.
It often helps to wear adapted shoes and, if necessary, have the shoes stretched.
An orthotic insole or toe splint can reduce the pressure.
Surgical
If these measures do not help or are insufficient, surgery may be necessary.
If the toe is still flexible, a percutaneous hammertoe correction can be performed.
Through several small incisions in the skin, thin instruments can be used to lengthen or release the flexor and extensor tendons, and if necessary, the phalanx is broken to straighten the toe again.
If the toe is no longer flexible, a percutaneous hammertoe correction by means of fusion can be performed.
Here, the first phalanx of your toe is fixed in a minimally invasive way, so that your toe becomes straight again. Pins protruding through the skin are no longer necessary.
Your surgeon will discuss with you which method is most suitable.
After the procedure, you may go home the same day.
You will receive a compression bandage and a special post-operative shoe in which you may walk; crutches are not necessary. Because the incisions are small, many patients experience less pain and the wound heals faster.
For the first two weeks, it is important to rest extensively and elevate the foot regularly to prevent swelling.
After this period, you can walk indoors with the post-operative shoe.
After approximately four to six weeks, you can usually wear regular shoes again and gradually resume your daily activities.
Your toe may remain somewhat swollen for up to 3 months after the surgery.
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