Hammertoes and Treatments
Dr. Peter J. Bregman, DPM
Top Rated Podiatrist in Las Vegas
Patient Resources
Hammertoes can be caused by many things most commonly it is an imbalance between the tendons on the top and the bottom which causes one to overpower the other causing a deformity. You can have a mallet toe or a claw toe or a hammertoe or even a cock up toe see diagrams below.
Hammertoes and Treatments
Hammertoes can be caused by many things most commonly it is an imbalance between the tendons on the top and the bottom which cause one to overpower the other causing a deformity. You can have a mallet toe or a claw toe or a hammertoe or even a cock up toe see diagrams below.
Conservative Treatment
Shoes with a bigger toe box of proper size. Pads and strapping. Corn treatment when present.
Surgical options
Dr. Bregman is one of the only people in Las Vegas with extensive training in minimal incision surgery for repair of hammertoes and corns. This involves a small 3-5 mm incision on the toe and then a very small drill is used like at dentist to shave or cut the bone. It does involve taping of the toes afterwards during the recovery as no hardware is used.
Standard hammertoe procedures are fusion and arthroplasy this involves removing bone with tendon balancing and use of implants or wires. Some of the hardware stays in and pins that are use will usually be removed in the office. After surgery one can expect swelling for about 3-6 months so wearing dress shoes.
The cock up toe of the 5th toe is very easily corrected by minimal incision technique and has great cosmetic results.
Arthroplasty involves cutting the head off of the proximal phalanx and creating slack and shortening and use of a temporary wire/pin fixation for 6 weeks.
Some of the surgeries for corns associated with hammertoes can be fixed in the office but most require outpatient procedure at a surgery center or hospital
Meet Dr. Peter J. Bregman
World Renowned & Award Winning Podiatrist
