Hammer toe correction
An operation to straighten a bent lesser toe (hammer, claw or mallet toe) that is painful or rubbing, usually by removing or fusing part of a toe joint and sometimes adjusting the tendons.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- Hammer toe correction straightens a bent lesser toe that is painful or rubbing, usually by removing or fusing part of a toe joint and sometimes adjusting tendons.
- It is for pain and pressure that footwear and padding have not solved — not for appearance alone, and the result is rarely a perfectly straight, normal-looking toe.
- Swelling is often the slowest part of recovery and can take many months, with the final result taking up to about a year; a fused toe needs a special shoe for around six weeks.
- The deformity can return, and the toe may end up shorter or stiffer, so realistic expectations and good footwear afterwards matter.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your surgeon will give you advice for your situation.
Can relieve pain and pressure from a toe rubbing in shoes
The toe is not actually painful or rubbing, so surgery is being considered for appearance alone.
Keep the foot elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain. Wear the post-operative shoe, keep the dressing dry, and take pain relief. Move...
Clear written advice on elevation, footwear, dressing care and looking after any wire, with a named contact.
Keep the foot elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain. Wear the post-operative shoe, keep the...
Stitches are often removed around 10–14 days. Continue to elevate the foot and limit time standing. Driving is...
Any wire holding a fused toe is usually removed in clinic around this time. Many people can return to desk work...
Swelling continues to settle and you gradually return to normal shoes and activity. A clinic review is often...
What is hammer toe correction?
Hammer, claw and mallet toes are types of lesser toe deformity, where one of the smaller toes becomes bent at a joint instead of lying straight. A hammer toe bends down at the middle joint, a mallet toe at the end joint, and a claw toe at both. The bend can rub in shoes and cause corns, calluses, pain or pressure on the ball of the foot. These deformities often develop alongside a bunion, or from an imbalance between the muscles and tendons that hold the toe straight.
Many people manage well with wider, softer footwear, padding, toe props and looking after any corns or calluses. Surgery is considered when the toe stays painful or keeps rubbing despite these measures, not simply because of how it looks.
The operation straightens the toe. The surgeon may remove part of the bent joint to leave it straighter but still a little mobile (arthroplasty), fuse the joint solid in a straight position (arthrodesis), often holding it with a temporary wire, or rebalance the tendons. The right choice depends on the toe, the deformity and whether it can still be straightened by hand.
Straightening a toe can relieve pain and rubbing, but it is not cosmetic perfection. The toe may end up a little shorter, stiffer or differently shaped, swelling can take many months to settle, and the deformity can sometimes come back.
Types & techniques
There isn't one single operation. The right approach depends on you — which is something to discuss with your surgeon.
Options at a glance
These are the main approaches described in this guide. The right option depends on the diagnosis, your goals and what your clinician thinks is safe.
Arthroplasty (joint removal)
The surgeon removes part of the bent toe joint to straighten the toe while leaving some movement. A common option that does not usually need a wire.
Arthrodesis (joint fusion)
The whole joint is removed and the toe is fused straight, usually held by a temporary wire (sometimes sticking out of the toe) until the bone heals, after which it is...
Tendon transfer or release
Tight or imbalanced tendons are released or repositioned to help straighten a flexible toe, sometimes on its own and sometimes with bone surgery.
Combined with bunion or forefoot surgery
Lesser toe correction is often done at the same time as bunion surgery or other forefoot procedures, because the problems frequently occur together.
Preparing for your surgery
- See the operating surgeon or podiatric surgeon, who will examine the toe and check that footwear and other measures have been tried.
- Tell them if you have diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in the feet, as these affect healing and suitability.
- Mention all medicines, especially blood thinners, and any allergies, and ask whether to pause anything.
- Arrange a lift home, as your foot will be bandaged and you should not drive straight after.
- Get a roomy, flat, open shoe or the post-operative shoe you are advised to wear, and plan to keep the foot elevated.
- Plan time off your feet and help at home, especially in the first week or two.
- Ask whether a wire will be used and, if so, whether it will stick out of the toe and when it comes out.
What happens
The operation is usually done under local anaesthetic, which numbs the foot, sometimes with sedation to relax you or, less often, a general anaesthetic. You can expect to be in the clinic or unit for a few hours, allowing time for the anaesthetic to work and for you to recover afterwards.
Through a small cut over the toe, the surgeon straightens it using the chosen technique — removing part of the joint, fusing it (often with a temporary wire), or adjusting the tendons. The cut is closed with stitches and the foot is bandaged. Each toe usually takes around 30 minutes.
Afterwards your foot is dressed and you are usually given a special flat or open post-operative shoe to protect the toe and let you walk on the heel or in a flat shoe. Most people go home the same day with instructions on elevation, footwear and looking after the dressing.
Is this operation right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- The toe is not actually painful or rubbing, so surgery is being considered for appearance alone.
- Footwear changes, padding and corn or callus care have not yet been tried.
- Poor circulation, an active foot infection or a foot ulcer makes surgery hazardous until addressed.
- Poorly controlled diabetes or significant numbness in the feet raises the risk of healing and wound problems.
Delay surgery if…
- There is an active infection, ulcer or broken skin on the foot.
- Your diabetes or circulation needs assessing or improving first.
- Blood-thinning medicines need managing before surgery.
- You cannot arrange to keep off and elevate the foot during early recovery.
- Simpler measures such as footwear changes have not been given a fair trial.
Alternatives to discuss
- Wider, deeper, softer shoes and avoiding high heels or narrow toe boxes.
- Toe props, splints, padding and silicone sleeves to reduce rubbing.
- Regular corn and callus care, ideally with a podiatrist.
- Insoles or orthotics to offload pressure on the ball of the foot.
- Accepting the deformity if symptoms are mild, rather than operating.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Anaesthetic choices
The safest option depends on the operation, your health, the facility and your surgeon/anaesthetist. Ask what is planned and why.
Benefits
- Can relieve pain and pressure from a toe rubbing in shoes
- Can reduce recurring corns and calluses caused by the bent toe
- Can make it easier and more comfortable to wear normal footwear
- Can improve walking comfort when the deformity affects the ball of the foot
- Often done alongside bunion surgery to treat related forefoot problems together
Risks & complications
- Swelling of the toe and foot that can last several months, often worse by the end of the day
- A scar over the toe and some bruising
- Stiffness of the toe, especially after fusion
- Needing to wear a special shoe and keep off your feet for a time
- The deformity coming back, partly or fully
- Infection of the wound or, where a wire sticks out, around the wire (skin infection reported in roughly 1 in 80 cases in one source)
- The toe ending up shorter, or a 'floating toe' that does not touch the ground
- Numbness or altered sensation in the toe from small nerves
- Delayed wound healing
- A fused toe failing to join (non-union), or problems with the wire
- Deep infection reaching the bone (reported in roughly 1 in 2,000 cases in one source)
- Ongoing pain in the toe or foot
- Complex regional pain syndrome, a persistent pain and sensitivity problem in the foot
- Reduced blood supply to the toe, which is more of a concern if you have circulation problems
The biggest practical issues are long-lasting swelling, the chance that the deformity returns, and the toe ending up shorter, stiffer or a little different in shape. People with diabetes, poor circulation or numb feet have higher risks of wound and healing problems and need careful assessment. Ask your surgeon which technique they recommend, whether a wire will be used, how long swelling and recovery typically take, and what footwear you will need afterwards.
Published figures to discuss
Results and complication rates after lesser toe surgery vary with the technique, the number of toes treated, whether a fusion is done, and the patient's circulation and diabetes status. High-quality single percentages are limited and many figures come from individual units rather than large trials. The figures below are illustrative and should not be taken as your personal risk; the most common practical issues are prolonged swelling and recurrence rather than serious complications.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin (superficial) infection | Reported in roughly 1 in 80 cases in one NHS patient-information source | More likely around an exposed wire; watch for redness, heat, swelling or discharge. | NHS — Corns and callusesnhs.ukPublished figure |
| Deep (bone) infection | Reported in roughly 1 in 2,000 cases in one NHS patient-information source | Rare but serious; needs prompt medical attention. | NHS — Corns and callusesnhs.ukPublished figure |
| Recurrence of the deformity | Recognised but variable; depends on the toe, the technique and footwear afterwards | Underlying foot shape and footwear habits influence the chance of the toe bending again. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
Recovery — what to expect, and when
Recovery revolves around protecting the toe, keeping the foot elevated to control swelling, and gradually returning to normal footwear. Swelling is usually the slowest part to settle and can last many months, with the final result taking up to about a year. A fused or wired toe needs a special shoe for around six weeks.
- Swelling that lingers for months, often worse later in the day
- Stiffness of the toe, particularly after a fusion
- A toe that looks or feels a little different, shorter or firmer than before
- Needing a roomy, flat shoe for some weeks
- Gradual rather than quick return to normal walking and footwear
Aftercare
- Keep the foot elevated as much as you can in the first days and weeks to control swelling.
- Wear the post-operative or recommended shoe and avoid tight, narrow footwear.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry and watch for signs of infection, especially around any exposed wire.
- Limit standing and walking early on, and rest the foot.
- Take pain relief as advised and do any movement exercises you are given.
- Attend the appointment to have stitches and any wire removed.
- If you have diabetes or poor circulation, follow foot-care advice carefully and report problems early.
- Know who to contact if the toe becomes more painful, red, hot or discharging.
- Post-operative or roomy flat shoe ready
- A way to keep the foot elevated (cushions, footstool)
- Pain relief obtained
- A lift home and help at home for the first week
- Time off work arranged (longer if your job is on your feet)
- Dressing-care and wire-care advice understood
- The clinic or podiatric surgery team's contact number saved
Scars and how they heal
There is usually a small scar over the top of the toe, which fades over months. Where a fusion is held with a wire that sticks out of the end of the toe, there is a small additional wound that heals after the wire is removed. Bruising and prolonged swelling around the toe are common in the early weeks.
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Increasing redness, heat, swelling or discharge around the wound or wire, or a fever — possible infection
- Pain that is getting worse rather than better, or that your pain relief does not control
- A toe that becomes pale, blue, cold or numb
- A wire that becomes loose, very painful, or catches and pulls
- A wound that gapes open or will not heal
- Calf pain or swelling, or sudden breathlessness or chest pain — possible clot, call 999 if breathless
Who to contact: your surgeon or clinic first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A good result is a straighter, more comfortable toe that rubs less in shoes and lets you walk and wear footwear more easily. Whether this is achieved depends on the deformity, the technique and your healing.
Surgery is not cosmetic perfection. The toe may be a little shorter, stiffer (especially if fused) or slightly different in shape, swelling can take many months to settle, and the deformity can sometimes return. Surgery aims to relieve symptoms, so it is worth being clear with your surgeon about what bothers you most and what a realistic outcome looks like.
Many people get lasting relief, particularly when the cause and any related bunion are addressed. However, lesser toe deformities can recur over time, especially if the underlying foot shape or footwear habits remain, and a small number of people need further surgery. Wearing roomy, supportive shoes afterwards helps protect the result.
Combining with other procedures
Hammer toe correction is very often combined with bunion surgery or other forefoot procedures, because these problems usually go together and are best dealt with in one operation. It may also be combined with treatment for pain in the ball of the foot. Your surgeon will plan which toes and joints need attention.
Follow-up & long-term care
You will usually be reviewed to remove stitches and, where used, the wire (often around 4–6 weeks), with a later review (often around six months) as swelling settles. The number of appointments depends on the technique and your healing. Signs of infection or circulation problems should be reported straight away rather than waiting for the next appointment.
- Wearing roomy, supportive footwear to protect the result and reduce recurrence
- Continuing corn and callus care and good foot hygiene
- Keeping up any exercises advised to maintain toe movement
- Extra foot care and prompt review if you have diabetes or poor circulation
Revision and secondary surgery reality
- If the deformity returns or the toe is uncomfortable, further surgery is sometimes needed.
- A fused toe that does not join (non-union) may need further treatment.
- Wire problems occasionally require earlier removal or adjustment.
- A 'floating' or stiff toe may need accepting, padding or, rarely, revision.
Ask your surgeon for their own revision rate, what counts as a revision, and what is included in the written aftercare policy.
What good aftercare looks like
- Clear written advice on elevation, footwear, dressing care and looking after any wire, with a named contact.
- A planned review to remove stitches and the wire, and a later review as swelling settles.
- Specific foot-care guidance and prompt review for people with diabetes or poor circulation.
- Honest discussion of realistic results and what to do if the toe bends again.
- Clear warning signs for infection and circulation problems, and who to contact.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- How many toes are being corrected and which techniques are used
- Whether the procedure is combined with bunion or other forefoot surgery
- The anaesthetic used (local, sedation or general)
- The surgeon's or podiatric surgeon's fee and the facility fee
- Any wire or implant used and its later removal
- Dressings, the post-operative shoe and follow-up appointments
- Physiotherapy or podiatry input if needed
- The surgeon's fee and, if relevant, the anaesthetist's fee
- The facility or theatre fee and likely time in the unit
- Whether a post-operative shoe and dressings are included
- Follow-up appointments, including stitch and wire removal
- What happens, and what it costs, if the deformity returns or further surgery is needed
- The policy if a complication such as infection occurs
- The cancellation policy
On the NHS? Surgery for a painful toe deformity is available on the NHS when footwear and other measures have not helped and criteria are met; private treatment is usually chosen for shorter waits or choice of surgeon rather than because it is unavailable.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Being led to expect a perfectly straight, normal-looking toe rather than symptom relief.
- No discussion of how long swelling lasts or that the toe may end up shorter or stiffer.
- Not being told the deformity can return.
- No clear plan for the wire (whether it sticks out and when it comes out).
- Inadequate attention to circulation or diabetes before operating.
Marketing red flags
- Promising a perfect cosmetic result or a 'quick' toe straightening.
- Recommending surgery for appearance when the toe is not painful.
- Downplaying the months of swelling and the chance of recurrence.
- Not assessing circulation, diabetes or footwear before operating.
Choosing a surgeon safely
- Check your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they practise at a CQC-registered location, and look for membership of bodies like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
- You're entitled to a two-stage consent process with time to reflect (a cooling-off period). The surgeon who will operate must consent you — not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers, discounts or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good surgeon will welcome every one of these.
- Have footwear changes, padding and corn care been tried fully first?
- Which technique do you recommend for my toe — joint removal, fusion or tendon surgery — and why?
- Will a wire be used, will it stick out, and when will it be removed?
- How long will swelling and recovery realistically take for me?
- What footwear will I need afterwards, and how likely is the toe to bend again?
- Given my circulation or diabetes (if relevant), what are my particular risks?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the surgeon who carries out my operation, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this operation not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need surgery for a hammer toe?
Will my toe be perfectly straight afterwards?
Why does the swelling last so long?
What is the wire for, and does it hurt to remove?
When can I get back to normal shoes and work?
Is it available on the NHS?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: NHS — Corns and calluses North Tees and Hartlepool NHS — Hammer toe surgery (arthroplasty/arthrodesis) Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS — Bunion and lesser toe deformities Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS — Lesser toe surgery British Orthopaedic Association
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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