Straighten bent toes — without months of downtime.

A hammer toe is a deformity where the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like shape. It typically affects the second, third, or fourth toe. The bent joint rubs against the top of your shoe, leading to painful corns, calluses, and inflammation. Hammer toes start flexible (you can still straighten them with your fingers) but can become rigid over time as the joint locks into the bent position. Common causes include genetics, tight or narrow shoes, high arches, bunions, and arthritis.

Yes — if your hammer toe is still flexible, conservative treatment can be very effective. Custom toe splints gently hold the toe straight, gel sleeves protect the joint from rubbing, and prescription orthotics redistribute pressure away from the problem area. Footwear changes (wider toe box, lower heels) also help significantly. However, once a hammer toe becomes rigid — meaning you can't manually straighten it — conservative care can manage symptoms but won't correct the deformity. At that point, minimally invasive surgery becomes the most effective option.

There are three main surgical approaches, chosen based on whether your hammer toe is flexible or rigid: (1) Tenotomy — a tiny incision releases the tight tendon pulling the toe into its bent position. Best for flexible hammer toes. (2) Arthroplasty — a small portion of bone at the bent joint is removed to allow the toe to straighten. Used for moderately rigid hammer toes. (3) Fusion (Arthrodesis) — the joint surfaces are permanently fused together using a wire or implant. Reserved for severely rigid, painful hammer toes. All three are outpatient procedures with local anesthesia.

Recovery timelines depend on the procedure: Tenotomy — you walk immediately in a post-op shoe. Most patients return to regular shoes in 2-3 weeks. Arthroplasty — same-day walking, back to regular shoes in 3-4 weeks. Fusion — walking in a post-op shoe for 2-4 weeks, full recovery in 6-8 weeks. For all procedures, most patients with desk jobs return to work within days. Swelling and mild discomfort are normal for the first week and are managed with ice, elevation, and over-the-counter medication. We provide detailed aftercare instructions for every patient.

Recurrence rates after hammer toe correction are low — especially when you address the underlying cause. If your hammer toe was caused by tight shoes, switching to footwear with a wider toe box dramatically reduces the risk. If it was driven by foot mechanics (high arches, bunions), we'll provide custom orthotics to maintain proper alignment. Our podiatry team treats the whole foot, not just the bent toe, so we address contributing factors like bunions or flat feet during the same treatment plan to prevent recurrence.

Yes — hammer toe correction is considered medically necessary when it causes pain, difficulty walking, or interferes with daily activities. Insurance typically covers both conservative treatment and surgical correction. We accept most major insurance plans and our team will verify your coverage and handle all pre-authorizations before proceeding. For patients without insurance, we offer transparent self-pay pricing and payment plans. We'll walk you through costs upfront — no surprises.