Hammer Toe Surgery

At Welbeck, hammer toe surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under a local anaesthetic. This means you can go home shortly after the procedure.

Exactly what’s involved in the procedure depends on what’s causing your hammer toe, but it will always begin with a local anaesthetic injection, which is given at the bottom of your toes to numb the skin and deeper nerves. 

The surgery usually involves releasing or lengthening the affected tendons to allow the toe to bend again, before the joints are put back in place and fixed with wires or tiny screws to make the toe stable again.

A hammer toe procedure is very safe, but as with all types of surgery, complications can happen, such as:

• pain

• bleeding

• infection

• scarring

• blood clots

• nerve damage

• loss of movement

Your consultant will give you all the information you need to prepare for your surgery, including how long you’ll need to fast for. At your consultation, tell them about any medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter pain medicines like aspirin.

You may also need one or more imaging tests beforehand, such as:

• an ultrasound scan

• an X-ray

• an MRI scan

After your operation, you’ll be moved to a recovery room and monitored by specialist nurses. To keep your toe from being damaged further, you’ll need to wear a surgical shoe. Sometimes crutches may also be needed.

Once you’ve seen your consultant and they're happy with your recovery, you’ll be allowed to go home on the same day. Be sure to organise for a friend or family member to pick you up and drop you at home, as you won’t be able to drive for some time.

It’ll take between 4 to 6 weeks after your operation for you to start returning to normal activities. You should be able to wear your normal shoes again at this time, but your toe might still be swollen, especially at the end of the day.

You’ll be given a follow-up appointment with your consultant around 6 months after surgery for a final review of your foot.

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book hammer toe surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopedist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopedist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.