Corn Care, Exercises and When Surgery Is Considered

What non-surgical treatments should be tried before hammertoe surgery?

Short answer: Initial care may include footwear changes, pressure protection, professional corn reduction, activity modification, orthoses and exercises where flexibility remains. Surgery is considered when appropriate conservative care no longer controls meaningful symptoms.

Professional debridement can reduce a painful corn, while moisturiser may improve surrounding dry skin. Stretching and toe exercises can help mobility and muscle control in selected flexible deformities, but exercises cannot remove bone or restore a destroyed joint.

The decision for surgery is based on pain, wounds, footwear restriction, function, deformity type and the patient’s goals—not appearance alone. An assessment does not commit anyone to an operation.