Surgery for Problems of the Small Toes
This webpage will give you information about surgery for
problems of the small toes. If you have any questions, you should
ask your GP or other relevant health professional.
What problems can happen to the small toes?
The three main problems that can happen are deformity, pain in
the toe joints and metatarsalgia. Toe deformities such as claw toe
and hammer toe happen when the tendons that move the toes get too
tight, or out of balance. A bunion can cause pressure and pain (see
figure 1).
Figure 1 - Problems caused by a hammer toe
Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis can damage
the toe joints and this may make them come out of position
(dislocate).
What are the benefits of surgery?
The main aim of surgery is to straighten your toes and get the
front part of your foot taking your weight comfortably.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Putting padding between your toes and strapping them in place
can help to stop pain caused by the toes rubbing. Custom-made
insoles for your shoes will help to take the pressure off any
painful areas. Special shoes that are wider and deeper than normal
can stop your toes rubbing.
What does the operation involve?
A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. The surgery
depends on the problem with your toes and may involve releasing or
lengthening tendons, putting joints back into place, straightening
a toe and changing the shape of a bone. Your surgeon may fix the
toes in place with wires or tiny screws.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Damage to nerves
- Damage to blood vessels
- Problems with bone healing
- Loss of movement in the toes
- Recurrent deformity
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the foot (Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome)
- Pain in the ball of the foot
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. For
the first week, you will need to spend most of the time with your
leg lifted up so that the swelling settles. It can take six weeks
or longer before the swelling has gone down enough for you to wear
a normal soft shoe.
Summary
If you have problems with your small toes that are causing
pressure and pain, surgery should straighten your toes and help you
to move around more comfortably.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrations: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Boston, Boston Treatment Centre
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital