topic Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon? in Wellness

Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

elainemasey — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:37:10 GMT

I have very bad bunions and hammer toes. My podiatrist suggested cutting the tendon to help the hammer toe relax. He says it is painless, quick recovery and no side effects. Has anyone tried this? What are your thoughts? Thank you.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

MadamAnne — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:05:47 GMT

DON'T DO IT!!! My Doctor (who I later realized I wouldn't use anyway), at least told me how frequently hammer toes come back. Additionally, the procedure means you can't drive for 6 weeks (if that matters to you). More significantly to me is that my (surgeon) brother-in-law told me that foot surgery usually results in the patient having lasting problems.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

elainemasey — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:35:07 GMT

He tells me he numbs the foot, then snips the tendon and 2-3 stitches later I am done. I don't have to stay off of it. I just can not get it wet for 2 weeks because of the stitches.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

Dancing Barbara — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:06:09 GMT

I have had hammertoe surgery on both my feet in the late 1970's. They cut the tendons on all my toes except the big toes. They then put pins in my toes to straighten them. I had one foot done and waited six weeks before the other foot was done. I have scars but it worked out okay.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

chi5925 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:15:15 GMT

On 9/15/2014 Dancing Barbara said:
I have had hammertoe surgery on both my feet in the late 1970's. They cut the tendons on all my toes except the big toes. They then put pins in my toes to straighten them. I had one foot done and waited six weeks before the other foot was done. I have scars but it worked out okay.

I had the EXACT same procedure done except I had hammertoes on ALL five toes on my left foot.

Best thing I ever did. Very little scarring for me. Once I was healed, it was so nice to be able to wear closed toe shoes without the pain. Had it done back in early 1990's.

Forgot to add: it was in/out surgery at hospital - NOT a clinic. I was under full anesthesia. Surgery in the morning - went home in afternoon.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

elainemasey — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:03:19 GMT

Thank you. He is not talking pins etc. that could be for a later date, I have really bad bunions as well but they thankfully do not hurt. This is just cutting the tendon. He does it in the office, he says there is little pain, a couple stitches and takes about an hour with no restrictions afterwards. I am really glad you both had success. Now I just need the courage to book the appointment.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

carolina2 — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 20:28:30 GMT

Had 3 toes done in the 90's. So glad I had it done/

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

ChiefBill — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 15:06:54 GMT

Just wondering if you ever had the tendons cut. I had the full hammer toe surgery several years ago, and now four of my toes are curled under again. My new podiatrist wants to cut the tendons, and I'm scheduled for the procedure tomorrow afternoon.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

Moonchilde — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 18:36:03 GMT

I have never heard of treating hammertoes this way. I personally would say HECK to the no.

The traditional surgical treatment I had was removal of the middle joint of the toe. I had it done awake in the podiatrist's office on both feet. Was housebound for a couple of weeks and could then drive or do whatever in surgical boots or sneakers with the toes cut out. Sore for several weeks, but functional. That was 45 years ago and no problems since.

I have found that many podiatrists are surgery-happy, and people end up needing repair/further surgery. I worked at a hospital where the majority of one doctor's surgeries were fixing up what others had screwed up.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

qualitygal — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:19:43 GMT

9/11/14, I thought I'd read this before.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

pupwhipped — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 19:20:39 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
9/11/14, I thought I'd read this before.

Would have to assume the hammer toe situation has been figured out a full two plus years later. HA!!!

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 19:24:16 GMT

@elainemasey wrote:
I have very bad bunions and hammer toes. My podiatrist suggested cutting the tendon to help the hammer toe relax. He says it is painless, quick recovery and no side effects. Has anyone tried this? What are your thoughts? Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dONTx6_RHu4

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

Stray — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 15:30:13 GMT

I had very successful tendon transfers on both feet, two toes each. I went to an orthopedist who specializes in foot problems. I had asked the difference between the podiatric fix and his solution. His surgical approach is permanent and the toes stay aligned and don't flop around as time goes by. I went with his procedure and my toes are perfect 5 years later.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

Mindy D — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 02:04:27 GMT

Hi, I was a surgical assistant for a podiatrist and I assisted in hundreds on tenotomies. They are painless. There is almost no bleeding. They do lengthen the tendon and might help you. They take little time to do and all you will need is a local anesthetic. As long as you are not diabetic you should be fine. This is not the only solution for hammertoe and bunions might need bone surgery, removal other forms of remediation including combination surgeries which can include tenotomy. Know that tenotomy by itself can be a money maker for some podiatrists. Here is a video of a tenotomy procedure for hammer toe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVSjiLegxc4

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 02:09:14 GMT

I know someone who had/has a hammer toe on each foot. Due to inattention, one of them ended up with a sore which resulted in a bad infection that went to the bone and up the leg. Surgery was required to amputate the affected bone. The person is scheduled soon for tendon cutting on the other toe in hopes of uncurling the toe and preserving it intact.

Re: Hammer toes and cutting tendon?

orthofeet — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:14:46 GMT

@pupwhipped wrote:
@qualitygal wrote:
9/11/14, I thought I'd read this before.

Would have to assume the hammer toe situation has been figured out a full two plus years later. HA!!!

I have hammer toe. I could feel how comfortable these sneakers were from the moment I put them on - EVEN BEFORE I STOOD UP!!! I could feel the heel of the shoe cuddling my heel. I can not bear to wear anything but my orthofeet shoes! I like the hammer toe for toe comfort. Fit is great. I like the colors and the mesh.