Living with foot pain can feel like a never-ending 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 too much pressure on the joints and 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 and stop the daily struggle.

With that in mind, today we’ll take a closer look at this procedure and explain what hammertoe surgery recovery is really like.

What Causes Hammertoes? 

Almost anyone can develop hammertoes at any point in their life. Some people are genetically predisposed to hammertoes while others may cause hammertoes by their lifestyle choices or develop them due to other foot problems.

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 and toes are unable to “relax” so they become curled. 

Treating Hammertoe

Hammertoes often get worse with the passage of time. If an individual has a “flexible” hammertoe that can still move, non-surgical treatments like specialized footwear, foot pads, physical therapy, or corrective devices may provide temporary relief. However, because these options don’t correct the misalignment of the root that is causing the problem, they are truly temporary “fixes”.

Because rigidity worsens over time, people with “rigid” hammertoes –– that can’t be moved –– probably won’t benefit much from non-surgical hammertoe treatments. 

Hammertoe Surgery & Recovery

The good news for individuals with hammertoes is that minimally invasive hammertoe surgery is very effective and the subsequent recovery is very light. 

Minimally invasive hammertoe surgery involves making a small (tiny) incision in the foot. The doctor then inserts a small instrument within the incision to correct the alignment of the toes. This is an outpatient procedure, and, as a result, many patients only require localized anesthesia for the foot during the operation. The surgery is painless, lasts only about 90 minutes, and it’s very effective at treating and fixing hammertoes. 

In terms of recovery, most of our patients are able to walk out of the operating room and drive home following the surgery. Some may have to wear a lightweight, post-operative shoe for a few days after the surgery. However, most of our patients are able to return to work the very next day.  You won’t have to rearrange your schedule or undergo intense physical therapy after hammertoe surgery. Instead, you can get back to living your life –– pain-free. 

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 members are experts in minimally invasive foot surgeries, and we can help you find a permanent solution to your foot issues.