Do hammer toe straighteners actually alleviate foot pain. What types of hammer toe correctors are available. How do hammer toe correctors help with discomfort. Are there more effective alternatives to non-surgical hammer toe treatments.

Understanding Hammer Toes and Their Impact

Hammer toes are a common foot deformity that can cause significant discomfort and pain. This condition occurs when the middle joint of a toe becomes abnormally bent, causing the toe to resemble a hammer. People with hammer toes often experience foot pain, discomfort, and joint inflammation, which can make everyday activities like walking or running challenging.

The symptoms of hammer toes can greatly impact one’s quality of life. Many individuals find it difficult to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as jogging, walking their dogs, or even completing simple errands. The persistent discomfort and potential complications associated with hammer toes have led many to seek various treatment options, including hammer toe correctors.

Types of Hammer Toe Correctors: A Comprehensive Overview

There are several types of hammer toe correctors available on the market, each designed to address the condition in different ways. Understanding these options can help individuals make informed decisions about their treatment approach.

Toe Wraps: A Simple Starting Point

Toe wraps are often considered entry-level correctors for hammer toes. These devices wrap around the affected toe and an adjacent toe, providing support and gentle alignment. Toe wraps are popular due to their simplicity, washability, and minimal interference with daily activities.

Gel Toe Separators: Cushioning and Alignment

Gel toe separators are designed to physically separate the toes while providing cushioning. The gel padding works to straighten the affected toes and reduce friction between them. These separators can be particularly helpful for individuals who experience discomfort due to toe rubbing or pressure.

Sock Correctors: Comfort and Support

Sock correctors combine the benefits of regular socks with built-in toe alignment features. These specialized socks often have individual toe compartments or strategically placed padding to help guide toes into a more natural position.

Toe Cushions: Targeted Relief

Toe cushions are small, padded devices that fit over or under the affected toe. They aim to relieve pressure on the hammer toe and provide comfort during movement.

When considering hammer toe correctors, it’s important to note that prices can vary. However, most options are relatively affordable and accessible without requiring a significant financial investment.

The Efficacy of Hammer Toe Correctors: What to Expect

Many individuals wonder about the effectiveness of hammer toe correctors in addressing their condition. While these devices can provide certain benefits, it’s crucial to have realistic expectations about their capabilities.

Can hammer toe correctors permanently fix the condition? Unfortunately, non-surgical hammer toe correctors cannot permanently correct the structural deformity of a hammer toe. However, they can offer several important benefits:

• Temporary straightening of the affected toe
• Relief from strain and pressure on the toe
• Reduction in pain and discomfort associated with hammer toes
• Support and cushioning for improved comfort during activities

While these benefits can significantly improve quality of life for many individuals with hammer toes, it’s important to understand that the effects are typically temporary and require consistent use of the corrector.

The Mechanism of Action: How Hammer Toe Correctors Work

Hammer toe correctors function through various mechanisms to provide relief and support. Understanding how these devices work can help users maximize their benefits and set appropriate expectations.

Alignment and Positioning

Many hammer toe correctors work by gently guiding the affected toe into a more natural position. This alignment can help reduce strain on the toe’s joints and muscles, potentially alleviating pain and discomfort.

Pressure Distribution

Correctors often redistribute pressure away from sensitive areas of the toe. By spreading force more evenly across the foot, these devices can reduce localized pain and prevent the formation of calluses or corns.

Cushioning and Support

The padding and supportive materials used in many hammer toe correctors provide a cushioning effect. This can help absorb shock during movement and offer comfort throughout the day.

Toe Separation

Some correctors, particularly gel separators, work by creating space between toes. This separation can reduce friction and pressure between toes, potentially alleviating pain and preventing skin irritation.

Limitations of Non-Surgical Hammer Toe Treatments

While hammer toe correctors can provide relief and improve comfort, they have certain limitations that users should be aware of:

• Temporary effects: The benefits of correctors typically last only while the device is being worn
• Limited structural change: Non-surgical options cannot correct the underlying bone and joint deformities
• Varying effectiveness: Results may differ among individuals depending on the severity of their condition
• Potential for skin irritation: Some users may experience skin sensitivity or irritation from prolonged use

Understanding these limitations can help individuals make informed decisions about their treatment options and set realistic goals for managing their hammer toe condition.

Surgical Alternatives: A Permanent Solution for Hammer Toes

For those seeking a more permanent solution to hammer toes, surgical intervention may be the most effective option. While non-surgical treatments can provide temporary relief, surgery addresses the underlying structural issues causing the deformity.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Modern Approach

Advancements in surgical techniques have led to the development of minimally invasive procedures for hammer toe correction. These surgeries offer several advantages over traditional open surgeries:

• Shorter recovery time
• Reduced risk of complications
• Less postoperative pain
• Smaller incisions and minimal scarring

Many patients undergoing minimally invasive hammer toe surgery can walk out of the facility on the same day and even drive themselves home. This quick recovery time is a significant benefit for those with busy lifestyles or who cannot afford extended time off work.

The Surgical Process

During a minimally invasive hammer toe surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions to access the affected toe. The procedure may involve releasing tight tendons, repositioning bones, or fusing joints to correct the deformity. The specific techniques used will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual patient’s needs.

Choosing the Right Treatment: Factors to Consider

When deciding between non-surgical correctors and surgical intervention for hammer toes, several factors should be taken into account:

1. Severity of the condition: Mild cases may respond well to conservative treatments, while more severe deformities might require surgery
2. Impact on daily life: Consider how much the condition affects your activities and overall quality of life
3. Long-term goals: Determine whether you’re seeking temporary relief or a permanent solution
4. Health status: Your overall health and any underlying medical conditions may influence treatment options
5. Recovery time: Consider how much time you can dedicate to recovery if opting for surgery
6. Cost: Compare the long-term costs of ongoing conservative treatments versus a one-time surgical procedure

Consulting with a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist can provide valuable insights into the best treatment approach for your specific situation.

Preventive Measures and Complementary Treatments

While addressing existing hammer toes is important, taking steps to prevent further progression or the development of new deformities is equally crucial. Several preventive measures and complementary treatments can be incorporated into a comprehensive management plan:

Proper Footwear

Wearing shoes with adequate toe room and proper support can help prevent and manage hammer toes. Look for shoes with a wide toe box and avoid high heels or shoes that compress the toes.

Toe Exercises

Regular toe exercises can help maintain flexibility and strength in the feet. Simple exercises like toe curls, toe spreads, and towel scrunches can be beneficial.

Custom Orthotics

Custom-made shoe inserts can provide additional support and help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot. These can be particularly helpful for individuals with underlying foot conditions that contribute to hammer toe development.

Regular Foot Care

Maintaining good foot hygiene, regularly moisturizing the feet, and addressing any calluses or corns can help prevent complications associated with hammer toes.

Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist can provide targeted exercises and treatments to improve foot function and reduce discomfort associated with hammer toes.

By combining these preventive measures with appropriate treatment options, individuals can develop a comprehensive approach to managing hammer toes and maintaining overall foot health.

Will a Hammer Toe Corrector Really Work?

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Will a Hammer Toe Corrector Really Work?

Foot pain, discomfort, joint inflammation: these are all symptoms that anyone with hammer toes has undoubtedly experienced. It can be hard to go for a jog, walk the dogs, or even get your shopping done with the slew of side effects caused by this condition. 

However, many people have claimed that using a hammer toe corrector can improve matters considerably. But do they really work? Here’s everything you need to know. 

Types of Hammer Toe Correctors

If you’ve never actually used a corrector for your hammer toes, you might not know that there are actually multiple types to choose from, some of which might work better for you than others. There are toe wraps, which wrap around the afflicted toe and the one next. These are typically starter correctors, as they are simple, washable, and don’t really get in much of your way. There are also gel toe separators, which physically separate the toes and work to straighten them with their gel padding. You can also try sock correctors, toe cushions, and several variations of typical correctors. Some are cheap, while others are a bit more expensive, but you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg regardless. 

How a Hammer Toe Corrector Can Help

Firstly, it must be said that hammer toe orthotics cannot permanently fix your hammer toes, so it’s important for you to know what they are capable of actually doing for you before you go out and purchase one. That being said, they are still very useful for temporarily straightening the toe with a small amount of pressure, which will relieve some of the strain that is usually put on it. Many correctors also provide support and gel cushioning to reduce the pain and discomfort that is generally present. If you’ve got hammer toes, these can be worth a try, even if they can’t technically “fix” them.  

So What WILL Work?

While wearing a hammer toe corrector can help to alleviate some of the discomfort and pain that is associated with the condition, it, unfortunately, cannot actually correct the hammer toe. So, what can you do? While there are a few options available to you, such as continuing to wear orthotics and correctors that reduce the pain, there is only one true way to fix a hammer toe: surgery.

This doesn’t mean you must have your toe dissected in the process. With minimally invasive surgery, like the kind offered at Northwest Surgery Center, you can be in and out on the same day typically about two hours later. Not only that, but you will be able to walk out the front door on your own two feet and drive yourself home.

Ready to Fix Your Hammer Toes Once and for All?

While there is nothing wrong with wearing a hammer toe corrector, they cannot act as a permanent solution to the problem. If you’re tired of dealing with all the orthotics and are ready to do something proactive about your condition, Northwest Surgery Center has you covered. Our team of professionals has unmatched experience in dealing with hammer toes, bunions, and similarly related conditions. With minimally invasive surgery, you’ll be able to do all the things you used to enjoy without the constant discomfort of your hammer toe burdening you.

Want to learn more about minimally invasive surgery for your hammer toe? Northwest Surgery Center is here to help. Reach out to us or give our toll-free number a call at 800-873-1060 today!

Free Consultation

Hammer Toe Splint Types and Benefits

Hammer Toe Splint Types and Benefits

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Marjorie Hecht — Updated on March 8, 2019

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Overview

Hammer toe is a condition where the middle joint of a toe bends upward. The bend causes the tip of your toe to turn downward so that it looks like a hammer. Ulcerations can occur on the top of the bent middle joint because of friction and pressure from the shoe.

If you’re experiencing hammer toe on your second, third, or fourth toe or even multiple toes at once, there are several types of hammer toe splints designed to relieve or prevent the related foot issues.

Difference between splint and orthotic

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now defines an orthotic device, or orthosis, as an artificial support for a part of the body. An orthotic may be prefabricated or custom made to fit you.

CMS defines a splint as a cast or wrapping material used to help set a broken, fractured, or dislocated bone.

This new terminology is gradually replacing the old usage, where the terms splint and orthotic sometimes overlapped. What used to be called a hammer toe splint is now called an orthotic.

What a hammer toe orthotic does and doesn’t do

• Provides passive force or pressure. The point of a hammer toe orthotic is to exert a straightening force on the muscles that bend your toe. This helps to keep the muscles from tightening in the curled position that can make the condition worse.
• Doesn’t fix broken bones. A hammer toe orthotic doesn’t straighten the bone the way a splint that’s applied to a broken bone does. This is because the bone itself isn’t broken when you have hammer toe. Rather, the muscles that bend the joint have contracted, causing the bend in your toe.
• Is preventative. Much of the pain of a hammer toe comes from the bunion or formation it usually produces on the top of your affected toe. Hammer toe orthotics don’t make the bunion go away, but they may control the pain. They may also prevent the bend in the toe from worsening.

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You may have success trying out different over-the-counter orthotics until you find one that helps. Some people need a combination of orthotics, such as a heel pad along with a hammer toe orthotic.

You may find that a foot specialist can get you to a solution faster, and even more cheaply. You’re likely to have happier feet if you find a good specialist to work with. Overall this may solve hammer toe problems efficiently and effectively.

There are a variety of over-the-counter hammer toe orthotics available. With all of these devices, it’s important that you wear well-fitting shoes with lots of room in the toe box. If you try to squeeze an orthotic into tight-fitting shoes, you could make things worse.

Some of the orthotic types include:

Toe wraps

This is a thin elastic bandage with Velcro strap that can bind the hammer toe to the one next to it. These are very effective for some people. They’re minimally invasive and can be washed and reused. You may have problem keeping them on if your toes are short or curve to the side.

Toe socks

Toe socks, or toe separator socks more specifically, are socks with five toe hole cutouts and padding that helps separate your toes. These take up little space and are unlikely to cause irritation, though they will not provide as much separation as other types.

Over time, they may provide gentle relief. If you have trouble finding a good fit, you could make your own separator sock by cutting holes in a well-fitting, thin sock.

Gel toe separators (also called spreaders, relaxers, or stretchers)

These are like cut-off gloves made of gel that separate the toes and help keep them straight. Some types are made to separate all five toes and some just two. Gel toe separators can be effective if they fit properly, especially if you have crossed toes. Otherwise they’re awkward and can be irritating.

Be aware of size, especially in the type meant for all five toes. Toes vary greatly in length, circumference, and spacing. A one-size separator does not fit all.

If you use a toe separator that’s too large for you, it can cause pain when stretching your toes apart or rubbing your toes inside your shoe. Try on different types until you find one that fits your toes.

Ball of foot (metatarsal/sulcus) cushions

The metatarsals are the five large bones of your feet that attach to your toes. Some of the pain of hammer toe is transferred to the metatarsals. Insoles that cushion the ball of your foot or provide extra support just beneath the toes can sometimes provide relief.

Hammer toe crest pad

A toe crest pad is a ring of material that goes around the hammer toe and is held in place by an attached pad that sits under your toes. They are usually made of gel or felt. If not too irritating, they can be helpful to some people with overlapping toes.

Having enough room in your shoes for your toes to splay out in a natural way will have a big effect on correcting or worsening hammer toes. New shoes might be something you can’t get right now. Until you’re able to, try to wear the right orthotics at home when you can be barefoot or as you sleep.

When you do look into new shoes, wear your orthotics while you try shoes on to find the right size and fit.

Understanding the anatomy of the toe can help you in selecting the right over-the-counter orthotic or in understanding a doctor or orthotist’s recommendations. Here are fast facts on your toe joints:

Your toe is made up of three small bones, known as phalanges. Starting from the tip of your toe, the three bones are:

• the distal (end or tip)
• the middle
• the proximal (closest to your foot)

The joint that’s affected in hammer toe is the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ). This is the middle joint between the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx. The PIPJ is bent downward (flexed).

The metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is in either the neutral position and hyperextended position. The distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) is either hyperextended or in the neutral position.

If over-the-counter orthotics don’t work for you or make things worse, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.

Foot specialists (podiatrists) can prescribe a custom-made orthotic that will work best for you. A professional known as an orthotist or prosthetist can design an orthotic to fit your foot and precise condition.

There are also many things your foot doctor can look for that you may not be aware of. These include:

• excessive pronation
• flexible deformities
• mixed conditions, such as hammer toe combined with Achilles tendinosis

Surgery

If pain continues or increases despite orthotics, surgery is sometimes the only solution. A procedure known as resection arthroplasty is the one most commonly used.

In resection arthroplasty:

• A surgeon removes part of one of the toe bones.
• The tendons are cut and reattached.
• A wire or tape is used to hold the toe straight until it heals up, usually in three to six weeks.

Healthy people can usually have the procedure done without an overnight stay in the hospital.

A study in 2000 of 63 people (118 toes) found that resection arthroplasty relieved pain for 92 percent of the people studied. Five percent experienced minor complications. The study was done an average of 61 months after completion of surgery.

The main cause of hammer toe is frequent wearing of shoes that are too tight in the toe box, including high-heeled shoes. The condition often occurs gradually, although it can be brought on by trauma.

Hammer toe can also be a secondary result of another toe deformity known as hallux valgus. Hallux valgus is a misalignment of the big toe that usually causes a bunion on the outside of the toe.

The misalignment of the big toe causes crowding of the smaller toes. The crowding can lead to a hammer toe, just as if the bones were being pressed by high heels or a tight toe box.

Two related conditions are mallet toe and claw toe. Mallet toe happens when the distal interphalangeal joint, not the middle joint, bends downward.

In claw toe, the metatarsophalangeal joint is in hyperextension and the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints are in flexion. These related conditions also occur on the second, third, or fourth toes, and can cause a painful bunion to form.

Hammer toe and its accompanying bunion can be painful and disruptive to your life. A variety of over-the-counter orthotics and aids may be able to help relieve your pain. If these don’t work for you, doctors can prescribe custom-fitted orthotics that may do the trick. As a last resort, surgery can be effective.

Last medically reviewed on November 12, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Andersen J, et al. (2015). Prescribing orthoses for bunions, hammertoe, and Achilles tendinosis.
  podiatrytoday.com/prescribing-orthoses-bunions-hammertoe-and-achilles-tendinosis
• Brittain HA. (1935). Treatment of hammer-toe.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2460241/?page=1
• Coughlin MJ et al. (2000). Operative repair of the fixed hammertoe deformity [Abstract]. DOI:
  10.1177/107110070002100202
• Malhotra K et al. (2016). The pathology and management of lesser toe deformities. DOI:
  10.1302/2058-5241.1.160017
• Phalangeal head resection (arthroplasty) for toe joint deformities. (n.d.).
  uwhealth.org/health/topic/surgicaldetail/mallet-toe-phalangeal-head-resection-for/ug2306.html
• Riskowski J, et al. (2011). Arthritis, foot pain and shoe wear: Current musculoskeletal research on feet. DOI:
  10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283422cf5
• Tehraninasr A, et al. (2008). Effects of insole with toe-separator and night splint on patients with painful hallux valgus: A comparative study. DOI:
  10.1080/03093640701669074
• Wülker N, et al. (2012). The treatment of hallux valgus. DOI:
  10.3238/arztebl.2012.0857

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Marjorie Hecht — Updated on March 8, 2019

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How to choose correctors from the “bones” on the thumbs?

Correctors indicated for hallux valgus are divided into three types: splints, silicone correctors and special insoles from “bunions”.

Splints can reduce thumb angle or prevent disease. Unlike them, silicone correctors simply straighten the thumb and separate it from the adjacent one. They also help to live comfortably with a protruding “bone” – they protect it from rubbing with shoes, relieve pain and inflammation. And insoles, coupled with correctors, help to correct not only hallux valgus, but also the cause of the disease – longitudinal or transverse flat feet.

Corrector selection is a very individual procedure. Just because a particular product solved your great aunt’s problem quickly doesn’t mean it will work for you just as well.

Ask yourself 2 questions:

Question 1: How severe is your big toe deformity?

Question 2: When and where are you ready to wear correctors?

If you are focused on results and want to wear correctors around the clock, then one single model will not be enough for you. Some correctors fit perfectly in shoes, others do not fly off even with bare feet, and still others do not fit anywhere except slippers. Products will have to be changed depending on your activity and location, for example: at home – articulated splints, at work – thin fabric ones, during sleep – a night brace.

So how do you choose correctors that suit your particular case and will be comfortable for your lifestyle? Let’s figure it out!

Valgus Hinge Splints

Description

The splint is designed to adjust the angle of deflection: Velcro is worn over the thumb and can be tightened or loosened. The stronger the tension, the more the finger straightens. If you already have a large “bone”, start using the splint from a small angle. If you immediately tighten it harder, pain may occur. The hinge allows you to keep the mobility of the foot when walking.

Night brace

Description

Since the brace is also a splint, it can stop the disease or reduce the angle of the thumb.

Silicone retainers

Description

These products are made of thick, super elastic silicone. They are put on the thumb and with the help of a partition separate it from the second finger, thereby preventing them from crossing. Like all silicone correctors, retainers do not affect the angle of deviation of the thumb and do not contribute to the reduction of the “bone”.

These correctors have a very wide “petal” that covers a large area. This makes the brace suitable for people with a massive foot or a large area of ​​inflammation.

Burso protectors

Description ators. Their main difference is the presence of a ring on the second finger. The second ring has 2 benefits:

• Hammer toe protection;
• Better fixation on the leg without the need to put on shoes so that the corrector does not fall off.

The bunting is narrow compared to the retainer, which means it fits a smaller female foot. However, the “petal” is very tight to the skin, does not move or stick out.

Fabric bandage with silicone bunion

Description

Silicone correctors can be made entirely of medical silicone, but can also be fabric-based. Bandage made of silicone and spandex is a great alternative to silicone correctors. It is worn on the leg like a sock. A silicone pad is hidden under the fabric in the area of ​​​​the thumb bone. The dimensions of the lining allow it to cover extensive inflammation. And the separator between the thumb and second finger prevents them from crossing. It is ideal if your skin sweats or breaks out on contact with silicone. If you just don’t like silicone and prefer fabric to it, this brace is for you too.

Insoles are the easiest and most convenient way to treat hallux valgus. If you put on and take off the correctors in a jiffy, then you don’t have to bother with insoles at all. It is enough to take out the “native” insole from the shoe once, insert the orthopedic insole inside – and you’re done!

Transverse flatfoot and “bunion” – where is the connection?

Let’s look at how insoles for transverse flat feet can be associated with hallux valgus. Normal feet, when walking, rest on the joints of the 1st and 5th fingers, forming an “arch”. With transverse flat feet, the arch seems to “sag” and the load moves to the middle joints. And they are by nature not intended for such a load.

When wearing underwire insoles, the rigid frame in combination with the roller raises the extreme joints of the toes and forces the transverse arch of the foot to rest on them. The muscles of the foot begin to reflexively lean on the places where support is felt. Thus, a correction occurs – the foot “gets used” to rely on the joints of the thumb and little finger.

What shoes to wear?

These insoles are suitable for sports and casual shoes with closed heels and toes.

Who are the insoles intended for?

The insoles are suitable for those who, along with hallux valgus deformity, also have transverse flat feet.

Correctors will do the job better if used in combination with other means. An integrated approach includes the use of an anti-inflammatory cream along with silicone correctors and shoe expanders that help “fit” the shoes to the bone.

Boot extensions for bunions

It is difficult for the owner of large bunions to find the right shoes, because manufacturers do not produce models designed for feet with bunions. New shoes have to be worn in for a long and painful time until the walls of the shoes stretch in the right way. The shoes are crushing, the inflamed joints hurt, and the correctors do not fit into the already narrow new shoes.

Special expanders have been devised to solve this problem. They are inserted into the toe of the shoe and, like lasts, expand it.

Thumb bump cream

Bump creams can be used for any degree of deformity. They do not cure curvature, but only relieve inflammation from a progressive disease and rubbing with shoes. For burning and pain, creams have a cooling effect.

Creams must be used simultaneously with silicone correctors. A “sauna effect” is formed under the silicone, due to which the effect of the cream is enhanced. Due to the abundance of natural ingredients, creams from the “bone” perform not only their direct task, but also solve other foot problems:

• Fight against fungal diseases;
• Relieve pain;
• Relieve leg swelling;
• Nourish and moisturize the skin of the feet;
• Improve blood circulation in the lower extremities.

1. Even small “bones” with untimely treatment can turn into large inflamed “bumps”.

It is necessary to start the correction at the initial stage, when the joint is not yet very inflamed. Fighting a greatly enlarged inflamed “bump” is much more difficult, longer and more painful.

2. An integrated approach to the treatment of “ossicles” significantly speeds up the process and makes it more effective.

Among the correctors, there is no “magic pill” that will suddenly save you from all the problems associated with the “bone”. Therefore, tires are best used in conjunction with silicone correctors, and they, in turn, are combined with anti-inflammatory creams and shoe expanders.

Here are some simple tips for choosing and using correctors. They are based on personal experience in testing products and feedback from our customers.

If the bunion is small

Use silicone shoe clip and valgus splint for home and/or sleep.

Big bone and you’re ready to wear correctors only when you sleep

Choose a night bandage + silicone retainers.

If the bunion hurts and the big and second toes cross

Use silicone correctors and a fabric bandage. Wear them anytime, anywhere: at home, at work, barefoot, with shoes on.

If it presses and rubs on shoes

Use shoe expanders.

For all of the above problems

Regardless of which correctors you choose, use orthopedic insoles and bump cream on your feet to enhance the healing effect.

Toe deformity surgery in Krasnoyarsk

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Orthopedics

Subluxation of toes, malleus, malleus and claws are deformities with very similar causes.

There is only one reason for deformities – incorrect work of the tendons and muscles, which should hold the fingers in a natural position.
When one tendon is overstretched and the opposite tendon is weakened, the fingers change shape and position. As a rule, these changes are irreversible and are not amenable to conservative treatment.

The only way to restore the natural shape of the fingers is through surgery. By changing the position of the tendons, you can restore the function of the joints, and the natural appearance of the foot and fingers.

What types of finger deformities do we work with?

Finger subluxation

Hammer fingers

Hammer fingers

Claw fingers 9 0003

Causes of deformation:

• foot injury
• wearing tight narrow shoes
• wearing shoes that are smaller than necessary
• constant wearing of high-heeled shoes
• length of the toe (if the second toe is longer than the big toe, then it is more prone to deformity)
• muscle imbalance in diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases

Main complaints (other than visible deformity):

• pain in the forefoot when walking
• calluses on the upper surfaces of the joints of the fingers due to constant friction with shoes
• swelling of fingers
• corns on the plantar surface of the foot and toes
• deformed finger and neighboring ones stop bending and unbending, become inactive
• it becomes difficult to find comfortable shoes

The operation completely eliminates the deformity

After a recovery period, you will be able to:

Walk without constant pain.

Don’t be ashamed of your feet on the beach or in the pool.

Wear any footwear.

Walking in heels again.

Which surgical techniques do we use?

Please note! Deformities of the toes are extremely rare independent, usually they are concomitant with transverse flat feet, hallux valgus deformity of the first toe. Surgical treatment of hammer and claw deformities caused by neurodegenerative diseases is ineffective.

Surgical tactics (or a combination of them) is selected based on the current state of the patient.

• If the deformity is elastic (i.e. fingers can be straightened by pressing on them), then the operation is performed only on soft tissues. The length, tension and position of the tendons are corrected to return the fingers to their natural position. For example, a minimally invasive tenotomy of the tendons of the toes is performed.
• If the deformity is severe, then more serious bone surgery is needed, using wires and screws to fix the fingers in the correct position. Fixatives are removed after 4-6 weeks.

In our work, we use the technologies of operations and postoperative recovery recognized and applied all over the world, which guarantee a lasting recovery.

The price of surgery for deformities of the toes

The cost depends on the type and stage of deformity.

The smaller the degree of deformation, the easier and cheaper the operation.
Already at the first consultation you will find out what can be done in your particular case.

• consultation with a traumatologist — 1,300 rubles
• surgical treatment of toe deformities — from 45,000 rubles

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The result is impressive — BEFORE and AFTER photos

• Second finger subluxation , transverse flatfoot, internal deviation of the I metatarsal bone and external deviation I finger is still the very beginning of the pathological process.
  Therefore, minimal trauma and a quick positive result.

• Hammer fingers – II, III, IV.

Postoperative period

WITHOUT plaster and crutches! Even when performing surgery on both legs at the same time.
The first day after the operation – the beginning of walking.
The first week is the development of movements in the operated fingers.
Stitches are removed after 10-14 days.
After that, it is obligatory to wear special orthopedic shoes with hard soles – 6-7 weeks.
Driving possible after 6 weeks.
Limitation of physical activity – 3-4 months.

Guaranteed result

The best guarantee of quality is knowledge and experience.

In our clinic, surgical treatment of toe deformities is performed by an orthopedic surgeon —
Ganush Vitaliy Viktorovich.

Many years of successful experience in performing operations for diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system allows us to guarantee the result for each patient.