Who Is Suitable for Tenotomy?

Am I suitable for hammertoe tenotomy?

Short answer: Tenotomy may suit a flexible deformity in which tendon pull is a major driver. Suitability depends on joint reducibility, skin condition, circulation, sensation and the alignment of the whole toe.

It can be particularly useful for reducing pressure at the end of a toe. Studies in people with diabetes and toe-tip ulcers report high healing rates after flexor tenotomy, but those results relate to ulcer management and should not be treated as a guarantee for every patient.

If the toe is rigid or unstable at its base, tendon release alone may under-correct the deformity. Dr Lafferty selects the least disruptive procedure capable of addressing the actual structure.