What is toe straightening (flexor tenotomy) surgery?
This is a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate some flexible hammer toe deformities. After local anaesthetic, a small incision is placed underneath the toe which cuts the contracted tendon, resulting in relaxation and reduction of the deformity. Recovery is expected to be 1-2 weeks.
What is a hammer toe?
A hammer toe is a deformity that causes your toe to bend or curl downward instead of pointing forward. This deformity can affect any toe on your foot, but it most often affects the second or third toe. Although a hammer toe may be present at birth, it usually develops over time due to arthritis or wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as tight, pointed heels. In most cases, a hammer toe condition is treatable.
Signs and symptoms of hammer toe
A hammer toe causes you discomfort when you walk. It can also cause you pain when you try to stretch or move the affected toe or those around it. Hammer toe symptoms may be mild or severe.
Symptoms:
– a toe that bends downward
– corns or calluses
– difficulty walking
– inability to flex your foot or wiggle your toes
– claw like toes
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