Even though hammertoe surgery is a routine, minimally invasive procedure, it still carries a certain amount of risk. One of the most common complications is a floppy toe after hammertoe surgery, so here is everything you need to know about this toe deformity and how to treat it.
What Is a Floppy Toe After Hammertoe Surgery?
A floppy toe, also known as a floating toe, is one of the most common problems after hammertoe surgery. It’s a type of toe deformity where the toe can’t naturally lay flat on the ground and be uniform and in line with other toes; instead, it’s lifted and sticks out above them. This deformity usually affects the second toe but can develop in any of them.
While it may not cause a lot of discomfort or foot pain initially, a floppy toe can lead to much bigger problems in the long run. If one of your toes is constantly pointing upwards and not laying flat on the ground, the weight and pressure on your foot won’t be distributed evenly, and your feet won’t be supported properly. Over time, this can lead to more serious issues like a change in balance and posture.
What Are Its Typical Symptoms
The key symptom of a floppy toe is that it can never lay flat on the ground like the rest – it’s always pointed up in the air, it feels floppy, and it can even overlap with another adjacent toe. You will also experience pain and discomfort.
How Frequent Is a Floppy Toe After Hammertoe Surgery
The success rate of a hammertoe surgery is around 80-90%, and complications such as a floppy toe are not very common.
What Causes of Floppy Toe After Hammertoe Surgery
Despite the fact that they hold the weight of our bodies, feet are actually very fragile, and a minor issue can lead to a lot of other problems. Floppy toes can be caused by a number of different things besides a complication after hammertoe surgery, including:
- Severe bunions,
- Claw toes,
- A sprain in the plantar plate or other ligaments, and so on.
How Can the Floppy Toe Be Fixed?
Depending on the severity of the floppy toe, it can either be fixed with physical therapy or with another medical procedure. Physical therapy can be a good solution for less extensive floppy toes, but it takes a lot of time and effort, and there is no guarantee it will fix the problem. On the other hand, surgery is much more efficient – the doctor will lengthen the ligaments, and the extra length in the toe will force it to get back to its natural position.
Consult Your Foot Doctor About the Floppy Toe After the Hammertoe Surgery
If you’ve had hammertoe surgery and you’re experiencing certain complications and problems, you should immediately visit a doctor and have it checked out. Contact us and schedule an appointment at the Luxe Foot Surgery clinic, and our team will make sure to fix any issues.
FAQ
How Do You Fix a Floppy Toe?
A floppy toe can either be fixed by a surgical procedure or physical therapy. The surgery is quicker and more efficient, but it’s a delicate procedure, while physical therapy is a less invasive approach, but it takes time and doesn’t guarantee results.
Why Does My Toe Feel Floppy?
Your toe might feel floppy because you’ve developed a toe deformity also known as a floating toe.
What Is a Flail Toe After Hammertoe Surgery?
A flair or floppy toe after hammertoe surgery is a toe deformity where a toe doesn’t naturally rest on the ground and points upwards instead.
Do Toes Bend After Hammertoe Surgery?
Toes should bend normally after hammertoe surgery; if they don’t and they point upwards, you might have floppy toes, and you should visit a doctor.
References
- Foot Ankle Institute – What is Floating Toe Syndrome?
- Luxe Foot Surgery – Problems After Hammertoe Surgery
