Arthrodesis Hammertoe Recovery

Digital arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that is used to correct the hammertoes condition. Hammertoes affects women more often than men, and is often attributed to wearing narrow shoes.

Identification

• Hammertoes occurs when the four smaller toes of the foot become bent at the first joint in the toe. Eventually, the affected toes may become rigid or fixed into place. This affects the ball of the foot and may also lead to a rupture of the joint capsule in the toe. If this occurs, the toe may become dislocated and stick straight up into the air.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of hammertoes is prominence of the toe, pain, redness, corns, callouses, difficulty walking, swelling of the joints, and stiffness of the joints in the toe.

Surgical Repair

• Surgery is the only way to correct hammertoes once it has occurred. One of the most common types of surgery to correct this condition is digital arthrodesis. Arthrodesis involves the removal of the joint in the affected toes and placement of a pin that protrudes from the toe. The purpose is for the toe to heal while remaining rigid.

Effects

• Arthrodesis can be performed under a general anesthetic or a local anesthetic, depending on the wishes of the patient. It does not require a hospital stay, as it is usually performed as out-patient surgery. A cast is not usually put into place, and the doctor will prescribe pain medication for home use for the first few days following surgery. The recovery time is generally around 4 weeks for this type of surgery.

Complications

• Most doctors recommend performing surgery when the condition becomes painful upon walking or wearing shoes. There are some complications associated with this type of surgery such as permanent swelling, recurrence of the deformity, pain, stiffness, and pain in other areas of the foot (such as the ball of the foot).