JAWS Podiatry is proud to offer multiple options for toe surgery, including minimally invasive, aesthetic toe-shortening surgery, toe-straightening surgery, toe-lengthening surgery as well as hammertoe surgery.
Even though most podiatric procedures were originally intended to alleviate medically related conditions, including relief from pain and restoration of foot function, more and more people today are seeking surgery for cosmetic reasons.
While some die hard podiatrists may still resist the idea of “fixing something that is not broken” so to speak, the growing demand for self (or in this case, foot) improvement is too great to ignore.
Aesthetic or cosmetic toe surgery is somewhat of a misnomer because motivation runs much deeper than satisfying a simple sense of vanity.
Much more than just looking good, the following Jaw Podiatry procedures help a patient feel good and live pain free for maybe the first time in months or even years.
Scientific advances coupled with cutting edge skills open new surgical avenues to patients that weren’t always possible in the past.
As mentioned, these include primarily: toe shortening, lengthening and straightening and hammer toe surgery. More details on our aesthetic toe surgical options and procedures are available below.
Have a question or can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call at (954) 922-7333 and speak with one of our foot experts today!
Questions? Call us: (954) 922-7333
Aesthetic Toe-Shortening Surgery
Having a long toe is a particular deformity that is not caused by wearing the wrong shoes or making poor life style choices.
It is a genetic condition, which really should have another moniker because it does not concern the toe at all.
The culprits in this non crime are the metatarsals, which are the five bones connecting the phalanges in the middle of the foot, which connect to the tarsal bones in the back.
Minimally invasive, this outpatient procedure can require up to three hours, depending on a patient reactions to the anesthesia or sedation. It can be performed in one of two diverse ways.
The surgeon may shorten the toe via joint resection (arthroplasty) or bone mending (fusion). The former involves the removal of a piece of one of the small toe joints, while the latter shortens the toe by removing an entire small joint, which allows the two ends of the bone to heal into a shorter position.
The healing process may require the insertion of a wire or implant, which serves to maintain bone stability throughout the healing process, after which it will be removed.
This is very common, especially when the second toe is involved, and the choice of hardware depends upon the severity of the of the problem. It can be in the form of stainless steel wires, synthetic material, screws, absorbable pins, cadaveric bone, and/or customized fixation devices.
Aesthetic Toe-Straightening Surgery
Cosmetic foot surgery is usually driven by more than just vanity. Crooked or angular toes can cause discomfort and pain during normal activities such as walking or wearing certain shoes. Fortunately, you have options.
Toe straightening surgery can restore a natural appearance to your feet by correcting misaligned toes.
Aesthetic Toe-Lengthening Surgery
This Jaws Podiatry procedure corrects a short toe, which is also known as brachymetatarsia or brachymetarsal.
This genetic condition, which occurs more frequently in women than in males, is characterized by a disruption in the growth process to a bone in the foot.
The most commonly affected is the fourth toe, but it can erupt on any toe. The digit itself is usually normal in length, but the metatarsal bone that the toe attaches itself to in the arch is short. It is often described as a floating toe.
Pain is often associated with this deformity as well as embarrassment and the psychological impact of being different and therefore “less” than others. This is often expressed by people with short toes hiding their feet and avoiding ever being discovered barefoot.
Due to the fact that a short toe resides higher up on the foot, shoes can be great irritators and pain can be augmented by callouses and pressure resulting from the unnatural weight distribution on the ball of the foot that a short toe is known to create.
Toe lengthening surgery involves restoring the length of the short bone. Usually, one of the three following techniques are utilized, depending upon the severity of the case at hand (or in this case, foot).
These include: sliding bone-cut lengthening; bone graft and external fixator lengthening. A bit more on each follows below.
Sliding Bone-Cut Lengthening
Reserved for very mild cases, this procedure is the least performed of the three because only a minimal measure of length can be gained.
The process entails an angulated incision that is made in the bone, which allows for its lengthening.
Cosmetic Bone Graft Lengthening
A common process involving the insertion of a structural bone graft into the short bone for the purpose of lengthening the toe. Its size is determined by the amount of length that is needed.
This method is also somewhat limited to and is best suited for toes that require less that one centimeter of lengthening. Stabilized with a bone plate and screws that remain in the foot, a bone graft can be made from the patients own heel bone.
Brachymetatarsia External Fixator Lengthening
This is a popular outpatient course of action we often perform. It involves stretching the bone in order to gain more length.
This gradual process is achieved with the help of a miniature external fixator that is surgically applied to the short toe. Immediately after surgery, the patient will be able to bear weight and walk.
Once home, the fixator will need some small adjustments, which will be advised by the surgeon, and will require the patient to turn the device 4 times per day.
This is done so that the bone and surrounding soft tissue will gradually stretch until the desired length has been reached.
The device is removed when the bone has completely fused, which is determined by the rate of lengthening and the indications of bone healing that are evidenced in follow-up X-rays.
Toe Straightening Surgery – Hammertoe Surgery
This procedure allows for a surgical release or lengthening of the tendons or ligaments that are forcing the toe muscles to remain contracted.
Both a hammer toe and mallet toe are two foot deformities that occur due to this imbalance in the toes structures (ligaments, tendons and muscles) that normally hold the toe in a straight position.
The development of these conditions can arise from the type of shoes worn every day, natural foot structure, disease and trauma.
The hammer toe is easily recognized by the abnormal bend in the middle joint of the toe, while the mallet toe always affects the joint nearest the nail.
Both conditions usually occur in the second, third and fourth toes. If conservative treatments don’t help and surgery is recommended, the surgeon may also remove a small piece of the bone in order to ensure that the toe can extend fully.
The main difference between a hammertoe and a claw toe involves the location of the affected joint.
While the hammertoe affects the toe’s second or middle joint, which causes it to bend downward, this deformity most commonly affects the second toe.
The claw toe can occur in all but the big toe. The middle and end toe joints are the most often affected and the toes tend to bend and curl under.
If you live anywhere throughout the United States or abroad, we are a leading, 5-star rated, lower extremity enter offering cutting edge treatments for all aspects of foot and ankle care.
Headed by 5-star rated and highly acclaimed Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Dr. Abraham Wagner and our dedicated staff are deeply connected to our patients and their desire to alleviate their pain and suffering.
For more information on surgical options and procedures for toes,
please contact JAWS Podiatry at 954-922-7333.
