Feet play an essential role in a healthy life.
However, many people are born with a toe longer than their big toe - usually the second, though this condition can also affect other toes. As a result, there may be pain or discomfort associated with wearing shoes, particularly if the heel is lifted, resulting in more pressure on the front of the foot.
Fortunately, for patients at Gotham Footcare in New York City toe shortening surgery is available. This is a minimally invasive procedure during which the longest toe is shortened so that it doesn’t stick out and shoes can be comfortably worn again.
The biggest two benefits of toe shortening surgery are a reduction in pain and an increase in self-confidence. This can lead to increased activities for either reason, which can improve the overall quality of life. Having a longer toe can result in further deformity or deterioration because the longer toe will often begin to bend from the wearing of closed-toe shoes.
This can lead to a condition known as hammertoe, which is when the toe contracts and folds in on itself. This can also worsen over time. There may also be chronic irritation, which can cause sores or issues in the nail, such as a fungal infection. The tip of the toe may also suffer from blisters, scarring, open wounds, or corns. Toe shortening surgery can alleviate these issues and improve your quality of life. While there are medical reasons for wanting to reduce the length of a toe, many people find they are simply unhappy with how their feet look. They feel embarrassed in open-toed shoes or barefoot at the beach, and stress over the appearance of their toes. In these cases, toe shortening surgery can ease a person’s mind and elevate their self-esteem.
If you have a toe that is longer than your other toes, it may be affecting your self-esteem and/or causing pain and discomfort.
If you are interested in toe shortening surgery New York City patients will need to call or email to set up an appointment with Gotham Footcare. Our expert doctors will examine your toes and review your medical history. As long as you are in reasonably good health, you should be a good candidate for this procedure.
This surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes up to three hours due to the effects of anesthesia or sedation. During your procedure, the surgeon will likely use one of two methods to remove a piece of the bone in your toe to shorten it.
The first is joint resection, or arthroplasty, which involves the removal of a piece of one of the small toe joints. The other procedure is bone mending, or fusion, which is when an entire bone joint is removed, which allows the two bone ends to heal into a shorter position. In addition, there will likely be a wire or implant used to help keep the bones stable as they heal. The wire will be removed after healing is complete.
Recovery times can vary depending on how extensive the surgery was, which varies for each patient depending on the length of the toe and how much it is shortened.
While it’s possible to be able to wear regular shoes and return to normal activities in two weeks, it can take up to 3 months for more severe cases. Generally speaking, however, toe shortening surgery takes an average of 6 weeks to fully heal.
Once the toes have completely healed, the foot will look noticeably different, with the toes now more evenly matched.
Scarring is also minimal, often disappearing into the folds of the toe. More importantly, there should be no more chronic pain from the toe sticking out. Shoes should fit better, and some activities may now be easier to accomplish.
If you are interested in reducing pain and embarrassment from a longer toe, then Gotham Footcare is ready to take care of your orthopedic needs in New York City. To find out more, call or email for a private consultation and get started on your new look today.
If you have a toe that is longer than the other toes and sticking out, it may be causing pain on the tip of the toe, thick calluses, and open wounds. It may also interfere with wearing shoes comfortably, walking, or other activities. If you would like to keep your toe from deforming further or simply improve its appearance, then you might want to consider toe shortening surgery.
The cost for this procedure varies depending on the specific type of technique used, which depends on how severe your longest toe is. Some or all of the costs should be covered by your insurance if this surgery is needed for medical reasons. Make sure to ask about financing or payment options during your consultation.
During surgery, there will be anesthesia to numb the area, so any pain you feel will come afterward. It will likely feel sore and tender, but this is normal and minimal. You can manage the pain with prescription medications given by the doctor.
At Gotham Footcare in NYC, we strive at recognizing your individual needs and desired outcomes while formulating an effective and personalized treatment plan with the highest quality care available.
What sets Gotham Footcare apart from other podiatry offices is our dedication to providing you with the education you need to make well-informed decisions regarding your care. Regardless of what your foot and ankle trouble may be, at Gotham Footcare our team will work tirelessly to help you feel better. At Gotham Footcare, we help you put your best foot forward.
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