When Does Hammertoe Require Surgery

A hammertoe might start as a slight bend in your toe, but it can gradually become a painful problem. Hammertoes can limit your ability to walk comfortably, exercise, and even wear your favorite shoes. 

Many people ignore the early signs and hope that the discomfort will go away. Unfortunately, hammertoe is chronic and progressive, which means it often worsens over time.

The good news is that many cases can be treated without surgery, especially when caught early. However, when your toe becomes stiff or interferes with daily life, surgery may be the right call for you.

So, how do you know when you need surgery? You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, our team of doctors regularly diagnoses and treats foot conditions like hammertoes. 

In the meantime, here’s a general look at hammertoes, when conservative treatments are sufficient, and when surgery is required.

What happens when you have a hammertoe?

Hammertoe is a deformity that causes one of your smaller toes, usually your second toe, to bend downward at the middle joint. Instead of lying flat, your toe curls into a hammer-like shape, hence the name.

This happens when the muscles and tendons that normally keep your toe straight become imbalanced. Eventually,  your toe joint can stiffen and lock into a bent position.

You might notice:

• A toe that appears bent or curled at the middle joint
• Pain when wearing shoes or walking long distances
• Corns or calluses forming on the top of your affected toe
• Redness, swelling, or irritation from friction
• Reduced flexibility or stiffness in the toe

At first, your toe may still be flexible. This is called a flexible hammertoe. However, if the imbalance persists, your joint may become semi-rigid or rigid. If you can’t unbend your toe at all, it’s more difficult to correct without surgery. At that point, it’s called a rigid hammertoe. 

Signs your hammertoe can be treated without surgery

When your hammertoe is still flexible, it can often be managed with conservative treatment. At this stage, our goal is to relieve pressure on your toe and correct the muscle imbalance that’s causing the deformity.

Your Garden State Pain & Orthopedics provider may recommend:

• Switching to shoes with a wide toe box that allow your toes to lie flat
• Protective padding to reduce friction  
• Custom orthotics to improve foot alignment and reduce pressure on your toes
• Stretching and toe exercises  

These strategies are most effective when your toe is still flexible and hasn’t become permanently bent.

Signs that your hammertoe may require surgery

Surgery isn’t the first line of defense against hammertoes, but it’s typically considered when your hammertoe becomes rigid or when pain continues despite conservative care. 

At this stage, your joint may no longer straighten on its own, and everyday activities may become uncomfortable.

You might start to consider surgery if: 

• You have ongoing pain that limits walking or standing
• Your toe is stiff, and you can’t straighten it
• You have recurrent corns or calluses  
• Constant rubbing leads to sores
• You have difficulty finding shoes that fit comfortably

Surgery can help restore proper toe alignment, relieve pain, and prevent your condition from worsening. 

If you find that you need hammertoe surgery, you’re not alone. It’s the most common surgery performed on the lesser toes. “Lesser toe” just refers to any toe except your big toe.

Don’t ignore the early signs of hammertoe 

Don’t fall into the trap of waiting too long to seek treatment. The longer your joint remains bent, the more likely it is to become rigid.

Our specialists evaluate hammertoe and other foot conditions and can recommend the treatments to help you find relief. Whenever possible, we start with conservative treatments designed to relieve pressure and improve foot function.

If surgery becomes necessary, our team offers advanced surgical options to correct the deformity and help you move comfortably again.

If toe pain or shoe discomfort is affecting your daily life, schedule an evaluation at one of our offices in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, Hazlet, or Jersey City, New Jersey.