If you’re dealing with hammertoe pain, difficulty walking, or toes that bend abnormally, surgery may be the most effective solution. At Stride Forward Podiatry in Boca Raton, Dr. Martha Holzworth, a double board-certified podiatrist, specializes in minimally invasive hammertoe surgery (MIS) to restore comfort, function, and mobility. Using advanced techniques, Dr. Holzworth provides precise hammertoe correction surgery with less pain, quicker recovery, no metal pins, no large incisions, and excellent cosmetic results under local anesthesia.
A hammertoe is a deformity where one or more toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like shape. Over time, hammertoes can become rigid and painful, making it difficult to wear shoes or walk comfortably.
Common hammertoe symptoms include:
Hammertoes rarely improve without treatment. For long-term relief, many patients require hammertoe deformity surgery.
Not all hammertoes are the same. Understanding the types of hammertoe deformities helps determine the right treatment plan.
The toe can still be moved at the joint.
Often causes irritation, corns, and discomfort.
Easier to correct surgically with MIS hammertoe surgery.
The toe becomes stiff and locked in place.
More painful and can limit walking.
Typically requires hammertoe deformity surgery for permanent relief.
The toe bends at both the middle and end joints, curling downward.
Can affect balance and cause severe hammertoe pain.
The bend occurs at the joint closest to the toenail.
Often affects smaller toes, including the hammertoe pinky toe.
Affects the big toe (hallux) rather than the smaller toes.
The big toe bends downward at the joint closest to the nail.
Often treated with surgical correction if conservative methods fail.
At Stride Forward Podiatry, MIS hammertoe surgery is often the best option for patients who want a permanent hammertoe fix with less downtime.
Our patients often see dramatic improvements following hammertoe correction surgery.
These transformations show how surgery restores both function and appearance, helping patients walk pain-free again.
Our minimally invasive approach focuses on precise correction through small incisions, reduced soft-tissue disruption, and — when appropriate — eliminating the need for permanent implants.
Traditional hammertoe surgery often requires larger incisions and permanent metal hardware to stabilize the correction.
Many patients experience a smoother recovery, less swelling, and a faster return to regular footwear compared to traditional open procedures.
Traditional hammertoe surgery often involves larger incisions and the use of external pins or permanent internal hardware to hold the toe in position during healing.
Our minimally invasive hammertoe correction utilizes specialized techniques that may eliminate the need for permanent implants while still providing stable correction. Many patients experience a smoother recovery, improved cosmetic results, and a faster return to daily activities.
Recovery after MIS hammertoe surgery is typically quicker than traditional surgery. While every case is unique, patients often experience:
Walking in a protective shoe immediately after correction
Gradual swelling reduction over several weeks
Return to normal footwear in a few weeks
Full hammertoe recovery time within 3–6 weeks.
Dr. Holzworth provides a personalized recovery plan to help you return to daily activities as soon as possible.
A hammertoe is a deformity where one or more toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, causing the toe to resemble a hammer. Hammertoe causes can include genetics, wearing tight shoes, arthritis, or foot injuries. Hammertoe symptoms often begin with mild stiffness but can progress to pain, corns, or calluses.
Yes, inherited foot structure can make you more prone to hammertoes. Bunions, tight shoes, and muscle imbalances also contribute.
Early hammertoes may be managed with shoe changes or padding, but advanced deformities usually require surgery for permanent correction.
Yes. Even a hammer toe mild deformity can cause discomfort. Pain often comes from rubbing against shoes, pressure on the toe joint, or the development of a hammer toe with callus. Using hammertoe pads and choosing supportive hammertoe shoes can help relieve discomfort.
Hammertoes rarely go away on their own. Surgery is often the most effective solution for long-term relief.
Yes, hammertoe surgery offers a long-term hammertoe repair. However, recovery for hammertoe surgery requires following post-op care instructions, choosing proper hammertoe shoes afterward, and sometimes using pins for hammertoe surgery to hold the toe in place during healing.
The best shoes for hammertoes are those with a wide toe box, soft uppers, low heels, and cushioned insoles. These features help reduce pressure, prevent rubbing, and provide relief from hammertoe pain. While supportive shoes can ease discomfort, they do not reverse the deformity — surgery is often the only permanent solution.
Hammertoe images and hammertoe pictures typically show a toe bent downward at the middle joint, sometimes with redness, swelling, or a hammer toe with callus on top of the toe. Hammertoe can affect any toe, but the hammertoe pinky toe and second toe are most common.
Hammertoes can be painful due to pressure against shoes, friction that leads to corns or calluses, and joint stiffness. Pain can worsen if left untreated, making it important to consider hammer toe therapy options like hammertoe pads, hammertoe shoes, or medical treatments.
Hammertoe treatment depends on severity. For mild hammer toe, conservative care may include:
If conservative measures fail, a hammertoe operation may be recommended.
There are two main options for hammertoe repair:
Recovery for hammertoe surgery usually takes a few weeks to months depending on the procedure. Pins for hammertoe surgery may be used temporarily. Most patients are able to walk shortly after surgery in a protective shoe, with swelling and stiffness improving over time.
Yes. Simple hammer toe therapy exercises can help:
These can keep flexibility, improve muscle balance, and may help slow progression.
Shoes for hammertoe should have:
Special hammertoe shoes can reduce friction, relieve pain, and prevent worsening of the deformity.
Not all hammertoe deformities are the same. While many patients are candidates for minimally invasive correction without permanent metal hardware, some cases may require temporary or permanent fixation to ensure proper alignment and healing.
A comprehensive in-office evaluation and imaging will determine the most appropriate surgical plan for each patient..
