Claw Toe Surgery Miami

In the early stages, when the disorder is called “flexible claw toe,” everything is likely to be without pain or physical symptoms. In such cases, claw toe can be detected visually by observing the configuration of the claw-shaped phalanges. If in addition to this the person feels pain and detects calluses in the first joint of the toes, then it is possible that he has at least one claw toe. Another easily detectable symptom is that the shoes that should correspond to the person’s foot do not fit well.

Claw toe does not necessarily require surgery. If claw toe is in its early stages of evolution (flexible claw toe), or even in an intermediate stage (semi-rigid claw toe), it can often be corrected by one of the so-called conservative methods listed above. But when claw toe has reached an advanced stage of evolution (stiff claw toe), it is very likely that it can only be corrected by claw toe surgery.

Completely. There are cases in which the foot, after claw toe surgery, looks as if it had never had any deformity. Whether or not this can be achieved depends largely on the level of deformity of the toe. In any case, even if the toe does not look as if it never had a deformity, it is possible to completely straighten the claw toe. The degree of alignment achieved by claw toe surgery is something that can even be measured using the AOFAS scale.

Claw toe surgery is not usually recommended for purely cosmetic purposes. In cases of cosmetic surgery for claw toe, it is practically impossible for medical insurance to cover the procedure. If the anatomical condition of the claw toe does not cause symptoms, does not generate any type of pain or hinders the patient’s normal life in any way, then surgery is not used. Instead, surgery is recommended when pain and discomfort interfere with the patient’s life and can no longer be resolved by conservative methods.

That depends in the first instance on the criteria of the clinic and the podiatrist, although it also depends on the degree of deformity of the toe and other factors. At Luxe Foot Surgery Center we opt for minimally invasive surgery. We prefer this because it is very effective, produces less pain, requires less time in the operating room, is much less incapacitating for the patient, and requires a much shorter recovery period. In contrast, traditional claw toe surgery causes more pain, lasts longer, disables the patient to a greater degree, and requires a longer recovery time.

Among the techniques described to surgically correct claw toe, there is arthrodesis or joint fusion. Arthrodesis surgery has a high rate of effectiveness. But having the disadvantage that it almost completely eliminates the mobility of certain joints, it is not usually the first choice in terms of techniques to apply claw toe surgery.

That’s how it is. The same patient can not only have one of these three disorders in more than one toe, but can also present claw, hammer, and mallet toes at the same time. Even the same patient, in addition to these three disorders, can present metatarsal cave-ins and bunions (something that occurs more frequently than is supposed). In cases like these, the podiatrist will have to come up with a complex and delicate approach to surgery.

Yes, it has a bit to do with it, although age is not decisive. There are ages in which the person is more prone to developing claw toes or similar conditions. The age groups most at risk of developing claw toe deformities are:

• Early childhood (from birth to 2 years).
• Adolescence (approximately between 12 and 18 years).
• Old age (more or less from 65 years).

Calluses are a disorder that occurs from the pressure or topical rubbing of footwear on certain parts of the skin of the foot. After claw toe surgery, calluses do not automatically disappear. But since the deformity of the toe has been corrected, and therefore the pressure and friction that caused the calluses have been eliminated, they will tend to disappear and not reappear.

The best footwear to avoid claw toe (as well as hammer toe, mallet toe, or the different types of bunions), is footwear that does not squeeze or imprison the foot, that has a suitable size, that does not have excessively thin tips or heels that are too long or thin. Also, an additional tip is to wear a type of shoe that leaves the heel free, or even the toe, depending on the design. This must be observed especially in women’s footwear, which is often designed inconsistently and can lead to various foot and ankle disorders.

Pins, implants, or wires have the undeniable advantage of holding the toe in place until the joint heals and heals properly. However, these devices carry additional risks, such as infections, added aches and pains, damage to bone tissue, among others. In addition, to remove the pins, wires or implants, an additional visit to the clinic will be required.

• As we said, the placement of implants is generally useful during claw toe surgery, since they help to stabilize and correct the joints, and depending on the case, they also help the effectiveness of joint fusion (when the surgical technique used is arthrodesis or arthroplasty). However, the use of implants and fixators, especially some of them, is often controversial among podiatrists, because they can break, they can generate pseudoarthrosis or cause bone loss during extraction. Also, if the surgery fails, the wires are very difficult to remove.

  However, that does not mean that Kirschner wires are not used. In cases where the Kirschner wire is used, it will remain in place for a few weeks to maintain the correct position of the toes while they heal. In most cases, the wire is not painful, but if it causes pain, the doctor will prescribe pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Paracetamol). Finally the Kirschner wire will be easily removed by the surgeon in the clinic.

  The care that the patient should have with the Kirschner wire are the following:

  • Wear the orthopedic sock or boot provided by the medical staff to keep the wire clean and protected.
  • After the bath, it is important to clean and dry the wire well.
  • Carefully follow all the instructions given by the doctor regarding the care, cleaning and handling of the wire.

• A frequent question similar to the one in this section is: How soon can I walk again after claw toe surgery? Let’s answer them both together.

  In this it is better to follow the advice of the surgeon and the medical personnel involved in the surgery to the letter. However, in general it is recommended not to step with the foot at all only for 2 or 3 days after surgery. After this, you can begin to gradually recover your walking, although always using the special boots supplied by the clinic. Something of the utmost importance is that, when the patient begins to walk, they should not rest their foot on the operated toes, but on the heel.

Claw toe surgery is not painful, especially if it is performed using the minimally invasive surgical technique that we apply at Luxe Foot Surgery, which requires an incision of 1 or 2 millimeters, and never more than 4 millimeters. But even if the surgery is the traditional one, the incision is a few centimeters and is performed with the patient under the effects of anesthesia. After the surgery, when the effects of the anesthesia wear off, you may feel some minimal pain, but the doctor will prescribe analgesics to eliminate this. If there is more pain than what we describe, it is not normal, and it is best to contact the doctor as soon as possible.

Claw toe surgery is very effective. It is rare for claw toe to come back after surgery. However, there is some probability of that happening. A good way to prevent claw toe from coming back is to follow all the doctor’s instructions to the letter, before, during and after surgery, and even for the rest of your life (especially using the type of suitable footwear). The advice that we have given throughout the article, and the ones that we will give in the next section, make it highly unlikely that claw toe will return after surgery.

In any type of surgery that involves bones, the recovery process should not be rushed. It is best to follow to the letter all the advice that the doctor indicates. But this is done so that the recovery does not take longer than necessary, not to speed up the process. The process should last as long as it lasts. Things that favor a speedy recovery are:

• Rest whenever there is sleepiness or fatigue, to allow the body to repair itself.
• Maintain an adequate diet, which provides all the nutrients that promote recovery and healing, and the proper functioning of the immune system.
• Keep the foot elevated, to avoid swelling and bleeding.
• Use the orthopedic boots provided by the clinic to walk, and do not rest the foot on the toes but on the heel.
• Maintain correct hygiene to avoid infections.

If claw toe is asymptomatic and pain-free, and does not necessarily require surgery, it will be considered a purely cosmetic procedure, and it is difficult for insurance to cover surgery. The patient himself must pay for the entire procedure. However, if claw toe causes pain, discomfort, , or any other symptom that incapacitates the person or interferes with their normal life, then it is considered a medical condition, and the insurance will cover the surgery according to the policy contracted by the patient. We must reiterate that at Luxe Foot Surgery we have internal payment plans, which make it easier for the patient to pay for the procedure.