Advice For Those Considering Hammertoe Surgery
Hammertoe is a condition in which the tendons in one of your toes start to shorten and tighten, causing that toe to permanently take on a bent shape. It's not generally painful in the early stages but can become painful and quite inconvenient as it progresses. The only permanent solution for hammertoe is surgery. If your podiatrist is recommending surgery for your hammertoe, here are some key pieces of advice that may come in handy over the coming months.
Consider having surgery sooner rather than later.
Sometimes, patients will delay having surgery until the last possible minute, when their toe is completely rigid and makes it hard to wear shoes. Indeed, you can generally manage hammertoe without surgery until it reaches this stage. However, there are some distinct advantages of having surgery done before it becomes totally necessary. Having the surgery earlier may mean you're a good candidate for a less-invasive procedure by which the tendon is cut, but the bone in your toe does not need to be altered. Early treatment may also save you the cost of cortisone injections, splints, and physical therapy that you'd use to stay comfortable in the meantime.
Get a second opinion.
After one podiatrist recommends hammertoe surgery and suggests a certain approach, it is a good idea to seek a second opinion. Chances are, the second doctor will agree you need surgery on your hammertoe, but they may have a different procedure they suggest. For instance, they may recommend a simple surgery to loosen the tendon, whereas a different surgeon thought you needed a bone restructuring procedure, too. It's nice to have two or three different opinions so you can choose the approach that suits your needs best.
Consider having other foot problems addressed at the same time.
Do you also have bunions, plantar fasciitis, or some other foot condition? Many patients with hammertoe do also have another foot ailment. Talk to your surgeon about correcting the other ailments at the same time that they correct your hammertoe. Even if those problems are not bothering you yet, they eventually will. If you have them surgically fixed at the same time as your hammertoe, you'll only need to stay off your feet for recovery once, minimizing your overall downtime.
Hammertoe surgery can be a great choice for patients whose hammertoe has begun to really bother them. Follow the advice above, and talk to your podiatrist for more insight.