HAMMER TOE SURGERY NEAR CHICAGO, IL
A toe shortening surgical procedure actually reduces the physical length of a toe to a length that better fits the overall toe pattern allowing better shoe fit and overall aesthetic appeal.
My preferred approach is removing a portion of the end of one of the bones in the toe (at a toe joint) thus leaving a “space’ for the toe to shorten over the next several weeks. This is combined with an associated skin procedure to remove any corns (lesions) or excess/deviated skin to balance the skin envelope around the shortened bone. The overall effect is a very natural looking toe with the toe still moving freely.
There is another way to shorten toes (not recommended) through removing a toe joint then fusing it together with a pin or screw. That procedure can end up with the toe looking and feeling unnatural and “pencil-like” while presenting additional possible complications with the implants. Toes shortened in this manner do not retain their ability to flex at the joint.
- In my experience the reasons why people seek out this procedure is that their long toes:
• Do not fit well in their shoes causing pain, corns, deformed nails, and discoloration.
• Overhang in their sandals and stick out in peep-toed shoes.
• Do not look right when they sit next to their other much shorter toes. Alignment looks odd.
• Are tired of being too embarrassed to show their feet— publicly and privately!
