Hammer Toe Surgery Melbourne
Claw Toe refers to a condition where the shape of one or more of your toes (usually your 2nd toe) becomes very flexed.
It is painful for 3 reasons:
- The “knuckle” of the toe rubs on the top of your shoes.
- The tip of the toe “catches” on the ground.
- There is pain under the ball of the affected toe due to a tear of the nearby Plantar Plate.
What is a Plantar Plate Tear?
The Plantar Plate is a tough piece of fibrous tissue that helps to hold each toe in the “neutral position” in relation to the rest of the foot.
In cases where the Plantar Plate endures high loads over many years it can eventually tear.
The wearing of high heels is a good example of “chronic overloading” of the Plantar Plate.
Symptoms
In the early stages the tear is associated with swelling and pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). It’s possible that the toe will also start to drift towards the big toe.
It’s possible that the toe will also start to drift towards the big toe.
Why Do Toes “Claw”?
The torn Plantar Plate leads to instability. There is a resultant imbalance of the weaker “intrinsic” and stronger "extrinsic” muscles controlling movement of the toe. This results in a “claw toe”.
Claw Toes and MTPJ instability is often seen in patients with Bunions because of a phenomenon called “transfer metatarsalgia” where the weight that normally goes through the ball of the big toe is transferred to the ball of the second toe leading to “chronic overload.”
Are Scans Required?
Although the “claw” is often easy to see with the naked eye, it is usually necessary to obtain a weight bearing x-ray to make a “functional” assessment”. This allows us to plan the best course of action for your plantar plate repair.
In addition, you may be required to have an Ultrasound or MRI scan to see the Plantar Plate Tear.
Non-Surgical Treatment
It might be possible to avoid surgery for this condition. Your Podiatrist may be able to assist with:
- Taping techniques to prevent displacement of the toe.
- An insole called a “metatarsal offloading dome” to take the pressure off the painful area.
- Toe straightening devices.
- Advice about choice of footwear such as a deeper toe box.
Plantar Plate Tear & Claw Toe Surgery
In situations where non-surgical treatment has failed then surgery should be considered.
The Plantar Plate Tear can be repaired back to the phalanx with very strong sutures via an incision on the top of the foot overlying the MTP joint.
There are two possible methods by which a Claw toe can be straightened.
- Minimally invasive technique: This is performed by a very small incision on the toe but usually requires a pin (protected by a ball) left protruding from the end of the toe for a 3-6 weeks.
- PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint fusion where the incision is slightly larger but no metal is left protruding from the toe.
The decision on which claw toe surgery is best for you should be discussed at the consultation.
Post-operative Care
- When you go home it is very important to elevate the foot 23 hours a day above the level of your heart for two weeks.
- Use of a “post op shoe” for walking for 6 weeks.
- 6 weeks – pin (if used) is removed in the clinic.
- 3-6 months for a full recovery.
Refer to the Foot and Ankle Surgery information sheet for further post-operative instructions.
Exercises after Surgery
This video is a collaboration with the Principal Physiotherapist and Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Australian Ballet. They developed this program for their dancers who as a result have a much lower injury rate in their feet.
These exercises also apply to my patients undergoing rehab after bunion surgery, bunionette surgery or 2nd toe surgery. Note, this video does not apply to great toe fusion surgery.
Rehabilitation Plan
On your mobile? Click the green + to see the full instructions for each week
| Week | Exercises | Boot | Weight bearing | Returning to Pre-Surgical Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Hip and knee active ROM exercises | Post-op shoe | Weight bear as tolerated | Staying home with the foot elevated above heart level for 23 hours a day |
| 2-4 | Hip, knee, ankle band resisted exercises. Toe AROM – wriggling, flexing, extending. Calf, shin muscles massage. | Post-op shoe | Weight bear as tolerated | |
| 4-6 | Hip, knee, ankle band resisted exercises. Banded toe exercises – flexion, extension, toe squeezes, spreads, ball squeeze. | Post-op shoe | Weight bear as tolerated | |
| 6-8 | Gentle ankle AROM DF and PF. Calf and shin massage and stretching. Physio guided PF and DF mobilisations. Start DL heel raises, progressing to SL. | Full weight bearing | Return to work – sedentary occupation. | |
| 8-10** | Physio guided gait and balance training. Continue exercises as above. | |||
| 10-12* | Increase walking distance. | Return to light duties – labour intensive occupation | ||
| 12+ | Physio guided, gradual return to pre-surgery activities eg. running, cycling. | May return to full duties (clinical assessment required) Return to sport at ~6 months |
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms on 0493 051 985.
This rehabilitation plan was developed by Mr Goldbloom in conjunction with Physiotherapists Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Brendan Mason from Back in Motion, Aspendale Gardens.
Risks
Surgery for Claw toes and Plantar Plate Tears is usually successful. Specific risks include:
- “Floating toe” – even though the toe is straightened during surgery, it sometimes sits higher than the other toes making footwear difficult.
- Loss of normal sensation – some patients report that they cannot move their toe and that it feels like it does not belong to them.
- Loss of blood supply to the toe – on very rare occasions there is a possibility that straightening the toe causes damage to its blood supply meaning that it cannot be saved. In that scenario the toe is best amputated to prevent the risk of infection.
The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Please contact Mr Goldbloom's rooms to discuss if surgery is appropriate for your situation.
