Hammer Toe Treatment in Goodyear, AZ

A flexor tenotomy procedure is a nearly pain-free procedure which is done to help straighten curled, or crooked hammer toes. The in-office procedure is simple, and takes just a few minutes, under local anesthesia. The procedure is usually done because curled toes cause pain at the tip of the toe from walking.

After the numbing medication is injected on the bottom of the toe, a needle is inserted into the toe joint and wiggled back and forth until the sharp tip cuts the small flexor tendon. Yes, It's truly that simple and that quick.  It's the same size needle used to draw blood. There's no skin incision. The needle also cuts the joint capsule on the bottom of the joint to allow the toe to straighten out. Once the tendon is cut, the toe is cleaned, taped straight and bandaged.

A Flexor Tenotomy is a simple, elective procedure that can be done at the patient's convenience and is covered by medicare. Doing the procedure in the office vs the surgery center, is more convenient, saves time and money, and is less anxiety-inducing for the patient.

Dr Udall is an expert, and has mastered the technique for performing this simple, effective, minimally invasive, minimally painful, percutaneous procedure right in the office without needing to go to the surgery center. If you have questions about hammer toes, or want Dr Udall to examine your toes to see if you are a candidate for this wonderful procedure please contact our office for a consultation.

For most patients with a flexible hammer toe, yes. Footwear changes, taping, splinting, padding, and custom orthotics resolve a significant percentage of mild and moderate cases. The procedure becomes the question only when conservative care is not enough.

The in-office procedure happens in our Goodyear office under local anesthesia. There is no hospital, no general anesthesia, and recovery is usually two to four weeks. Traditional hammer toe surgery is typically done in a hospital, involves a longer recovery period, and may include hardware in the toe.

The corrected toe usually stays corrected, as long as the underlying causes are addressed. That means continuing to wear shoes with adequate toe room and using custom orthotics if your gait or foot structure was part of the original problem. Patients who go straight back into narrow, pointy shoes can re-develop the issue.

Yes, most plans cover medically necessary hammer toe treatment. We verify your benefits before any work starts so you know what your out-of-pocket cost will be. We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans.

The simplest test is whether you can straighten the toe by hand. If you can, it is likely flexible. If it is locked in place, it is likely rigid. The definitive answer comes from an in-office exam.

Often, yes, especially if you have a family history. Wearing shoes with a wide toe box, avoiding long stretches in high heels or pointy shoes, and getting evaluated as soon as a bend in the toe shows up are the most effective things you can do.

The area is fully numbed with local anesthesia before any work starts. Most patients describe mild soreness for a few days afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. We send you home with clear post-procedure instructions and a plan for the first few days.

Sí. Dr. Udall y nuestro equipo hablan español con fluidez. Llame al 623-248-4734 para programar una cita.