I am concerned about toe surgery

Can podiatry help with deformed toes?

A podiatrist can advise about shoes and insoles and treat hard skin that develops over or between deformed toes. Most podiatrists in the UK do not operate on feet.

Or do I need an operation?

If the condition of your toes is interfering with your daily activities and the problem is not helped by simple, practical measures, it may be best to have an operation to straighten the toes.

Your GP can refer you to an orthopaedic foot surgeon who will ask about the problems you are having, examine your feet and advise you on the best method for straightening your toes.

What sort of operations are available for deformed toes?

Soft tissue releases in combination with fusion of the joints in the toes are the most common types of operations for deformed toes. The particular operation will depend on the pattern of your deformity

I've heard that toe surgery is not generally successful

This is not the case. Over 90% of toe operations correct the problem for which they were done. However, a number of problems can occur following toe surgery:

The deformity can recur.
The toe may be swollen for several months or, in a few cases, permanently.
Stretching of the nerve in the toe can cause tingling, numbness or over-sensitivity in the toe; this usually gets better after a few weeks but can be permanent.

Most people are satisfied with their toe surgery, but it can take many months before the toe settles down. Toe surgery is not easy and it is important to have it done by someone with proper specialist training and experience.