Toe surgery in Grand Cayman
Bent or overly long toes can rub on shoes, form painful corns and make it hard to stay active. When padding and roomier footwear no longer help, a small operation can straighten or shorten the toe.
Hammer, claw and mallet toes
These are toes that have bent at one or more of their joints and stay that way. They often go hand in hand with a bunion. Surgery straightens the toe, usually by releasing tight tissues and reshaping or joining a small joint. It’s normally done as a day case.
Long toes and toe shortening
Some people have a second toe that’s longer than the big toe, or a toe that’s been pushed up out of line. A long toe can take too much pressure and catch in shoes. Shortening the toe brings it back into line with its neighbours.
Recovery
Most people walk in a surgical shoe straight after the operation. Depending on the procedure, the toe may be supported with a small wire for a few weeks. I’ll explain exactly what your recovery involves before you decide anything.
A rough timeline
- First two weeks: short walks in the surgical shoe, foot up as much as you can. NovoClinic’s nurses look after your dressings.
- Around three to six weeks: any wire holding the toe straight is removed in clinic. It takes a moment and is usually painless.
- Six weeks onwards: most people are back in roomy, comfortable shoes. The toe can stay a little swollen for a few months.
Fixing toes and bunions together
Bent second and third toes are often pushed out of place by a bunion. If that’s the case, it usually makes sense to correct the bunion at the same time, otherwise the toes can be pushed back out of line. I’ll look at the whole foot and suggest what will give you the longest-lasting result. You can read more about bunion surgery.
Risks
Toe surgery is very common and most people are pleased with the result. Possible problems include infection, swelling that takes a while to settle, a toe that’s stiffer than before or sits slightly differently from its neighbours, numbness, and the deformity coming back. I’ll go through these with you before you decide.
Common questions
Will the toe still bend after surgery?
If a small joint in the toe is fused to keep it straight, that joint won’t bend any more, but the joint at the base of the toe still moves. Most people don’t notice any difference when walking.
Can I have several toes done at once?
Yes. It’s common to correct two or three toes in the same operation, and often the bunion too.
Is it done under general anaesthetic?
Usually not. Most toe operations are done with a local anaesthetic block to numb the foot, sometimes with sedation, and you go home the same day.
Is toe surgery covered by insurance?
It often is when the toe is painful or causing corns and problems with shoes. NovoClinic can help with pre-authorisation.
