If the issue is judged medically essential, hammer toe is usually covered by insurance or Medicare. If you have one of the following conditions, your doctor may consider surgery to be medically necessary:
Insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of correcting a hammer toe for cosmetic reasons.
According to the Healthcare Bluebook, the out-of-pocket cost of hammer toe surgery is around $4,265.
How much does it cost to get your toes straightened?
Over 75% of persons in the United States claim to having foot pain, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Only one-third of them, though, seek treatment. Hammertoes are one of the most commonly reported foot disorders that cause discomfort. A hammertoe can cause pain in one or more toes, but if left untreated, it can soon lead to other issues.
Have you ever seen a pair of feet where the toes appear to be pushed together and overlapping? A hammertoe can sometimes result in this. Hammertoe is a condition in which one of the three middle toes is affected. It is a tendons and joints condition that causes an unnatural bend in the affected toe. While some people can manage their symptoms by making a few lifestyle modifications and using good footcare products, others may require surgery.
If the issue is judged a medical necessity, hammertoe surgery is frequently covered by insurance. Insurance is unlikely to cover hammertoe repair if surgery is done solely for cosmetic reasons. On average, hammertoe surgery costs $4,200 out of pocket.
When a toe gets malformed and protrudes above the other toes, it frequently affects the toe next to it. Because it grinds against the shoe, that toe may develop calluses, blisters, and corns on top of the hammertoe. Fortunately, some patients can benefit from a few non-surgical treatments.
Keep in mind that if you don’t treat your hammertoe, it will only get worse and more painful. Hammertoes generally stiffen and become less receptive to non-surgical treatment methods with time.
The most popular procedures for addressing a painful hammertoe are two forms of surgery.
- Fusion Surgery – During this procedure, the surgeon will cut the hammertoe’s ligaments and tendons to straighten it. In addition, the toe’s end of the bone is frequently removed to aid in toe straightening. Because these bones must fuse together to heal properly, your surgeon will use screws or pins to reconnect them so they can heal properly.
- Joint Resection Surgery – The ligaments and tendons will be straightened and corrected, and the surgeon may cut them to expand your toe. The operation removes the end of the toe bone to assist straighten and stretch the toe back into a natural position. This type of surgery may also include the use of pins or rods to keep the toe straight as it heals.
Although hammertoe surgery is frequently performed as an outpatient procedure, full recovery can take several weeks. While your toe heals, you’ll probably need a walker or crutches to get around. Both types of surgery will likely result in a toe that is longer or shorter than before, as well as pain and stiffness for a period of time. Keep your foot elevated during recuperation to alleviate this.
You will most likely need to return a few weeks following surgery to have any temporary rods, pins, or screws removed. The good news is that hammertoe is unlikely to resurface in your life, especially if you wear shoes that fit properly.
How long does it take to recover from hammertoe surgery?
In general, though, recuperation from bunion surgery might take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. You should be able to walk without a boot or other equipment at this point. However, full recoverywhen all swelling should have gone downcould take up to 6 months.
General healing from hammertoe surgery can take up to 6 weeks, while complete recovery might take anywhere from 6 months to a year.
There will be a moment when you must keep your weight off your foot as much as possible in both circumstances. Pre-planning is critical to ensuring that you are comfortable and have everything you require for your surgery.
Physical therapy may be prescribed to condition and strengthen the foot as you recover, allowing you to regain and retain full mobility. We’ll also provide you guidance on things like living choices, footwear, and other things that are relevant to your rehabilitation.
When should you get hammer toe surgery?
According to podiatrist Georgeanne Botek, DPM, this aberrant toe bending is very prevalent, especially in women. However, you should not assume you require surgery right now. Nonsurgical treatments for hammertoes include the following:
Shoes must be chosen with care. Corns and calluses, which are common in people with hammertoe, can be avoided by wearing shoes with a broad and deep toe box. Mesh shoes or sandals are more comfortable for certain people.
Exercises that improve your strength. Toe exercises might help you retain flexibility by strengthening your little muscles. “It’s less painful if we can keep our toes loose,” explains Dr. Botek.
Wearable technology. Yoga Toes and other splints can be worn when sleeping or sitting for long periods of time.
When surgery for hammertoe is your best option
Surgery may be necessary if hammertoes grow rigid, painful, and restrict activity. Fortunately, according to Dr. Botek, recent developments in the surgery have made it more effective in the long run.
The most common reason for surgery is discomfort. Mild to moderate hammertoes are those that are flexible and do not cause pain. Severe abnormalities that are permanent and immobile and cause discomfort are treated with surgery.
“Dr. Botek explains, “I don’t normally recommend surgery solely to fit into shoes.” There are exceptions to this rule. “You never know when you won’t be able to fit into the shoes you require,” she explains.
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fusion is the most common surgical surgery for hammertoes. By permanently fusing the two bones together, the toe is straightened and stabilized.
How can I straighten my hammer toes without surgery?
Exercises like towel scrunches and marble pick-ups will help you strengthen and stretch your toes while also straightening them up. Wear shoes that fityou should have your feet correctly measured before getting fitted for new shoes.
What is minimally invasive hammer toe surgery?
A hammertoe is a malformation of the lesser toes that causes pain, discomfort, and difficulty wearing shoes. The ball of the foot, the top of the toe, and the tip of the toe are all common places where patients experience discomfort in the forefoot. It usually affects the second toe, but it might affect any of the smaller toes. Pressure between neighboring toes, pressure from the shoe, and pressure from the ground when weightbearing can all cause pain.
The reasons of hammertoe are multifaceted, although they are thought to be linked to a hallux bunion. A bunion can cause the neighboring lesser metatarsal heads to be overloaded, resulting in plantar plate failure and hammertoe deformity. Depending on the severity and duration of the illness, hammertoe deformity can be flexible or inflexible.
Avoiding excessive use of high-heeled and narrow shoes can help prevent the development of hammertoe. There is no nonsurgical procedure that can effectively fix a hammertoe deformity. Patients who wear shoes with a broad toe box, open-toe shoes, or custom shoes may find comfort. The intrinsic muscles of the foot can be exercised to improve muscle balance. Soft tissue irritation against the shoe or adjacent toes can be reduced with silicone pads. Toe straighteners can assist balance the strain on the forefoot and relieve pressure on the uppers of the shoes.
As a final treatment, surgical procedures are the only way to cure the deformity and relieve pain. Tendon release, tendon transfer, PIP joint resection, PIP resection arthroplasty, and, in rare cases, amputation are all surgical options for treating hammertoes. Because each hammertoe is unique, the best treatment must be designed for each patient, each foot, and each toe.
The theory of minimally invasive hammertoe correction (MIS) is that the surgery’s goals can be attained with the least amount of collateral damage feasible. Instead of a formal open thoracotomy, it’s more like a cardiac catheterization to clear a congested artery. The use of a specific bone cutting bur that can allow bone cutting and trimming through 3-mm stab wounds is the cornerstone of the MIS. Tendons that have become contracted can be loosened using stab incisions. Percutaneous soft tissue balancing procedures can be added to reduce the size of incisions. Hardware-related issues are avoided because no screws or pins are required to maintain the correction. Taping and wrapping are used every two weeks until 6-8 weeks after surgery to preserve the ideal toe alignment.
While the procedure looks to be simple, MIS hammertoe surgery is exceedingly complex, and each surgeon who does it must undergo extensive training on sawbones and cadavers before operating on actual people.
Nerve injury, bone shortening, insufficient correction, and nonunion are all risks.
Minimal postoperative pain, immediate weightbearing, cosmesis, less scarring, reduced swelling, faster healing, and no hardware fixation are all advantages.
Starting the day of surgery, Dr. P’s postoperative protocols include immediate weightbearing with 100 percent body weight. The patient can do this by utilizing crutches or a walker to help with balance while wearing the prescribed post-op shoe. Weightbearing will be used for light ADLs such as going to the restroom or kitchen, as well as brief walks about the house. The foot benefits from full weightbearing because it permits bone and soft tissue to self-adjust to the flat surface. Walking can be progressively increased, and crutches or a walker can be removed after two weeks. After 6 weeks, the patient can return to standard jogging or tennis shoes. Sports and high-intensity activities can begin as early as 10 weeks. Patients will not be required to change their own dressings, but will come to the clinics at 2 and 4 weeks for Dr. P’s bunion dressing. Driving can usually continue once the patient has stopped taking pain medication and is able to walk easily; a trial drive under the supervision of a family member is recommended.
To determine the reason of persistent symptoms, the patient should be thoroughly assessed. A variety of tests, including x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and diagnostic injections, may be required. Many patients with residual deformity, bony prominence, nonunion, or contracture can benefit from MIS treatments.
-Dr. P is a pioneer and leader in the field of foot and ankle minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
-Dr. P is one of the Midwest’s most experienced MIS experts, having completed hundreds of MIS operations.
-Dr. P is a MIS hammertoe correction instructor who has taught a number of surgeons across the country.
-Dr. P is patient-centered in his approach to achieving goals and achieving effective outcomes.
How painful is hammer toe surgery?
Outpatient hammer toe surgery is the most common type of hammer toe surgery. This means that a patient may be able to return home the same day as their procedure.
Surgery is frequently performed with a local anesthetic that just numbs the toe, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure. This can help you recover faster and avoid the risks that come with general anesthesia.
Under general anesthesia, hammer toe surgery can also be performed. The hazards and benefits of each strategy should be discussed.
If a patient is squeamish, doesn’t want to observe the surgery, or is afraid of knives or needles, general anesthesia may be the best option. People who have had severe reactions to general anesthesia in the past or who wish to recover as quickly as possible may prefer a local anesthetic.
Before surgery, a doctor would usually do blood tests and inquire about the patient’s medical history. Before or during surgery, some people will receive intravenous (IV) medicine. An IV can be used to deliver anesthetic or a medicine that makes a person feel more calm while they are awake.
A person will not be able to feel the procedure itself while under local anesthetic, although they may feel pressure or pulling. The operation should be painless.
A person’s toe will usually hurt after surgery, so they’ll need someone to drive them home. Those who choose for general anesthesia may not be permitted to eat before to the procedure.
What is hammer toe look like?
Symptoms of Hammertoe The main sign of hammertoe is a bending upward in the middle toe or toes. You may get blisters and calluses where your toes rub against the top of your shoes as a result of these buckled toes. Pain at the joint where your big toe meets your foot.
Does hammertoe hurt?
Hammertoes get its name from the fact that when the toe joint is stuck in an upward posture, it looks like a hammer. A corn or callus may form on top of the joint, causing pain and making it difficult to walk. Hammertoes are characterized by a hard joint, pain at the top of the bent toe, and edema.
What is the main cause of hammer toes?
Hammertoe and mallet toe are foot abnormalities caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that keep the toe straight. The type of shoes you wear, your foot shape, trauma, and certain disease processes can all play a role in the formation of these deformities.
What can a podiatrist do for hammer toes?
Avoid squeezing your toes into shoes that compel them to flex abnormally to avoid hammertoes. Those tendons can get tight and cause a claw-like bend in your toe. Always wear shoes that are soft and big enough to accommodate all of your toes.
Stretching your toes can also help avoid hammertoes by keeping the tendons in your toes relaxed. Straighten and stretch your toes using your hands, or try picking up something with your toes, such as retrieving something from the floor. Sitting on a blanket and grabbing the ends with your toes will help to relax your feet.
While these pain-relieving techniques can make your toe feel better at home, you may need to see a podiatrist to get the problem fixed.
According to Timothy C. Ford, DPM, head of the podiatric residency program at Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s HealthCare in Louisville, Ky., “surgical intervention is required to address the deformity.” He suggests visiting a podiatrist to discover the etiology of the hammertoe, which will help determine the best course of action.
A trip to the podiatrist helps ensure that you’re not harming the skin of your toe, which could lead to an infection. “Ulceration or a breakdown of the skin overlying the contractive joint can develop if it’s severe enough,” explains Alan K. Mauser, DPM, a podiatrist in Louisville, Ky.
Dr. Mauser emphasizes that hammertoe surgery is a quality-of-life concern. Surgery to straighten the toe or remove a portion of bone is an option. In more serious cases, surgery may entail more than just bone removal.
Early detection of a hammertoe, pain relief, and, if necessary, a visit to a podiatrist can help keep treatment uncomplicated.