Hammertoe and mallet toe

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By Mayo Clinic staff

If your toe is still flexible, your doctor may recommend that you change to roomier and more comfortable footwear and that you wear shoe inserts (orthotics) or pads. Wearing inserts or pads can reposition your toe and relieve pressure and pain.

If your toe has become tight and inflexible, your doctor may recommend surgery. The specific procedure depends on how much flexibility is left in your toe:

  • If your toe has some flexibility, your doctor may straighten it by making an incision in the toe and releasing the tendon.
  • If your toe is rigid, your doctor may not only cut or realign tendons but also remove some pieces of bone to straighten your toe. This procedure may require that the bones be fixed temporarily with pins while your toe heals.

Usually, you can go home from the hospital on the day of your toe surgery.

DS00480

Aug. 21, 2008

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