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!
All podiatrist practices and toe surgeons are not created equally. The cosmetic and functional procedures that our Oak Park, Illinois based practice perform require an extensive skill set and many years of experience.
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