Hammertoe Correction
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Hammertoe correction
is surgery to straighten your toe. A hammertoe is abnormal bending of your toe. The part of your toe attached to your foot bends up, and the tip bends down.
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How to prepare for surgery:
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. He or she may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Arrange to have someone drive you home after you are discharged.
- Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicine for your surgery. Your surgeon will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about any allergies you have, including to anesthesia or antibiotics. You may be given antibiotics before surgery to prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
- You may need blood tests before your surgery. You may also need x-rays, a bone scan, or an MRI of your foot.
What will happen during surgery:
- You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given local or regional anesthesia to numb your leg or foot. You may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel pain.
- One or more incisions will be made in your toe where it attaches to your foot. The kind of surgery you have depends on how much your toe bends. Your surgeon may loosen tendons or ligaments that are causing the abnormal bending. Tendons are bands of tough tissue that connect muscle to bone. Ligaments are bands of tough tissue that connect bones. Your surgeon may move part of one tendon and connect it to a different tendon.
- Some of the joint or bone tissue may be removed to straighten your toe. Your surgeon may place a wire, screws, or pins through your toe bones to keep your toe straight. The incision will be closed with stitches.
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What to expect after surgery:
- A medical shoe with a stiff sole or a cast boot you can remove will be put on your foot. You then may be allowed to put full weight on your foot.
- Pain medicine will decrease or take away pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you ask for more medicine.
Risks of hammertoe correction:
You may have long-term pain, stiffness, swelling, or numbness in your toe. Your toe may be weak or not sit flat on the ground. A wire or screw placed during surgery may break or come out. You may develop an infection. Damaged blood vessels can lead to gangrene or loss of your toe.
Call your doctor or surgeon if:
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your stitches come apart.
- Your foot or toe becomes cold to the touch or looks blue or black.
- You have severe pain in your foot or toe.
- You have a fever or chills.
- Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
- Your toe or foot is numb, weak, or stiff.
- Your toe is out of position or is starting to bend again.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Antibiotics help prevent or treat an infection caused by bacteria.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Wound care:
Care for your wound as directed. Check the wound for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. Carefully wash the wound with soap and water. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty.
Self-care:
- Elevate your foot as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your foot on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated above the level of your heart comfortably.
- Wear wide, rounded, or square-tipped shoes. The tip needs to have extra room so your toe does not rub against it. Do not wear high-heeled shoes.
- Return to your daily activities as directed. You may need to wait at least 2 weeks after surgery. Do not drive until healthcare providers say it is okay.
Follow up with your surgeon within 1 week or as directed:
You will need to return to have your stitches removed or to have x-rays. If you had a wire put into your toe, your surgeon will remove it in 4 to 8 weeks. He or she will tell you when to come in to have this done. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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