There are a variety of techniques that Dr Buckley performs to treat deformities of the lesser toes. Hammertoes are the most commonly treated and the approach is generally minimally invasive involving a very small incision over toe, followed by removal a small portion of bone and soft tissue correction to allow the toe to become straight again. Sometimes a small implant is required to hold the toe straight while healing occurs. When this is required, Dr Buckley prefers to use an implant system such as the Smart toe hammertoe Correction system. Using this implanted fixation device can significantly reduce recovery time as it avoids the need for lengthy recovery of weeks with pins protruding out the end of the foot, which is the traditional method for hammertoe surgery. Not having pins in the ends of the toes also helps to reduce the incidence of pin tract infections, which are  a commonly reported complication with the traditional surgical approach.    

Hammertoe surgery is normally performed as a day surgery under local or general anaesthesia and each toe takes approximately 15-20 minutes to perform. Full weight bearing is allowed immediately following the procedure using a splinted sandal, and patients normally transition into a regular shoe after 2 weeks.An additional advantage of the Smart Toe Hammertoe Correction technique is that the small titanium implant used in the procedure remains permanently inside the bone, avoiding the need for removal post-surgery.

Reasons to indicate Hammertoe surgery 

  • Painful toe deformity or prominent joint
  • Problems fitting into shoes
  • Painful corns/calluses being caused by the toe deformity
  • Failure of conservative care such as different shoes or general podiatry care

How Hammertoe surgery may help

  • Reduce pain and deformity
  • Improve toe alignment (straighten)
  • Reduce the formation of calluses and corns

To book a consultation with Dr Ned Buckley regarding Hammertoe Surgery, please contact our clinic on 9481 8194 or use our online booking system for an instant appointment. 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.