Which hammertoe operation is right for me?
Short answer: The operation should match the deformity: tenotomy for selected flexible tendon-driven toes, keyhole exostectomy for a focal bony pressure point, and arthroplasty for selected semi-rigid or rigid joint deformity.
The smallest operation is not automatically the best operation. Under-treating a rigid or unstable toe can leave pressure and recurrence; over-treating a flexible toe can create unnecessary stiffness or shortening.
Dr Damien Lafferty combines examination, weight-bearing alignment, imaging where indicated and the patient’s priorities to recommend an individual plan. Sometimes more than one component must be addressed.