Toe Surgery

About Toe Surgery

Are ice, rest, and home care methods failing to resolve your toe injury? Often, minimal medical intervention can provide relief, but toe surgery may be recommended if the case is severe. Dr. Andrew Ebert is a foot and ankle surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, TX, who can provide the treatment your case requires.

When should I see a doctor for my toe injury?

Persistent Swelling

Swelling at the beginning of a toe injury, even a minor one, is normal. However, if your toe continues to swell after five days and if the swelling spreads to the foot and ankle, it's time to see a specialist.

Permanent Deformity

Hammer toes, bunions, and other physical deformities won't disappear with time. The only way to resolve these issues is through a treatment plan with our specialist.

Persistent Numbness

Acute numbness following an injury doesn't necessarily mean a patient has a nerve injury. But if you still have numbness in your toe after a few days or if the numbness worsens or spreads to the foot or ankle, see a specialist.

Persistent Pain

Mild to moderate pain right after a toe injury isn't a signal to go to the doctor. However, if pain persists days after the injury or migrates to the foot or ankle, have our podiatrist perform an assessment.

Make Treatment a Priority,
Schedule a Consultation to Find Relief

Injuries and deformities of the toe can be painful and impact your ability to perform basic daily functions as well as the activities you love. Our doctors can restore your comfort and your health for lasting relief. Contact our office to schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options. You can also call us at:

Call (512) 476-2830 Request a Consultation

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Ebert is the foot and ankle surgeon at our Austin, TX, office. Dr. Ebert cares for all toe, foot, and ankle problems our patients have. Practicing medicine for over 15 years, Dr. Ebert joined Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin only three years after we opened. Since then, Dr. Ebert has continued to stay up-to-date with the latest surgical techniques and advancements within orthopaedics. He is also a bilingual Spanish speaker who takes pride in being able to help many patients throughout the Austin, TX, area.

Get to Know Dr. Ebert

Surgical Treatment Options

If your injury is severe to the point of needing surgery, our doctors can perform a wide range of toe surgeries. The most appropriate option will depend on your specific condition and the natural alignment of your toe. Common surgeries include:

Arthroplasty: To relieve the effects of hammertoe, your doctor will remove a small piece of bone, which will allow the joint to straighten normally.

Arthrodesis: Arthrodesis is appropriate for both bunions and hammer toe. Your surgeon will trim the ends of the bones on each side of the joint. He will also remove a small amount of cartilage. Finally, he will stabilize the joint with pins, allowing it to straighten as it heals.

Tendon Transfer: During this hammer toe surgery, your doctor will move the tendon from beneath your joint to the top of your toe. Once in place, the tendon will pull and straighten the joint.

Basal Phalangectomy: If you have a particularly severe hammer toe, your doctor will remove a small part of the bone beneath your affected toe.

Weil Osteotomy: Weil osteotomy is another option for both severe hammer toe and bunions. Your surgeon will remove part of the metatarsophalangeal joint found at the base of your toe. Then he will use pins to stabilize your toe as it heals.

Exostectomy: During this procedure, your doctor will remove your bunion from the side of your joint. He will almost always perform this surgery in conjunction with another treatment.

Nerve Removal: If you have a particularly severe pinched nerve, your doctor may actually remove it to achieve lasting pain relief.

Surgery for Fractures: Your doctor may place pins in your toe to aid the healing process. Typically, he will perform this treatment four to six weeks after you break your toe.

Step-by-Step Process of Toe Surgery

Consultation

Patients begin treatment with a consultation with Dr. Ebert. The foot and ankle specialist will evaluate your symptoms and may also take x-rays of your injured toe. Our offices use state-of-the-art technology to help our surgeon identify the core injury and how it can be treated. Our goal is always to provide the least invasive treatment option.

Surgery

Some patients need very little treatment and no surgery whatsoever. In these cases, rest and splinting the toe can be enough. If surgery is the necessary treatment, your doctor can use minimally invasive techniques that can minimize downtime and scarring from the incision.

Aftercare

Recovery from toe surgery will depend on the type of procedure you undergo. In some cases, you may be back to normal activities in just a few weeks. However, if you have a more complex procedure, such as Weil osteotomy, full recovery may take up to six months. Most of the time, our toe surgeries are outpatient treatments, so you can rest in the comfort of your own bed. We will provide appropriate medications and regular checkups to ensure that you are healing properly. When needed, we will also refer you a physical therapist to expedite your recovery.

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Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Nonsurgical treatment options are available for certain toe injuries. For deformities, like hammer toe, surgery is the only option. However, for minor injuries or recurring foot pain, a few non-surgical treatments can aid in recovery:

Orthotics

Custom insoles and comfortable shoes can relieve issues affecting toes, feet, and ankles.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be recommended alone or alongside surgery to help aid recovery.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

While you shouldn't rely solely on over-the-counter medication to treat your toe problems, it can help reduce swelling and pain until you can see the doctor.

Foot Braces

For minor fractures and sprains, the doctor may recommend you wear a foot brace to restrict movement in the toes as they naturally heal.