Painful toe deformities can make walking, standing, and wearing shoes increasingly uncomfortable. Mallet toe is a common digital deformity that often worsens over time if left untreated. At Best Foot Doctor NY, we provide comprehensive mallet toe treatment and surgical correction in Brooklyn, with convenient care for patients throughout Queens, Manhattan, and the greater NYC area.
Our approach focuses on relieving pain, restoring toe alignment, and preventing long-term complications using both conservative care and advanced surgical techniques when necessary.
Digital / Toe Deformities
A deformed toe is one of the more common conditions afflicting the foot, whether it be a hammertoe, mallet toe, or overlapping toe. These deformities often develop due to muscle imbalance, abnormal foot mechanics, arthritis, trauma, or prolonged pressure from footwear.
As the deformity progresses, patients may experience pain, corns, calluses, inflammation, and difficulty wearing shoes comfortably.
What Is a Mallet Toe?
A mallet toe is similar to a hammertoe, except the deformity occurs closer to the end of the toe, affecting the joint nearest the toenail. This causes the tip of the toe to bend downward, often leading to pressure, irritation, and painful corns at the toe tip.
Mallet toe deformities may begin as flexible but can become rigid over time, making early evaluation important.
Conservative Treatment Options
Initial treatment for mallet toe often begins with non-surgical care, especially when the deformity is flexible and symptoms are mild.
Conservative treatment can consist of one or more of the following:
- Trimming, digital splinting and/or padding of the corn.
- Orthotics or inserts in shoes to correct improper walking.
- Injections to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Larger or extra depth shoes to accommodate toe deformities.
These treatments can help reduce discomfort and pressure but do not correct the underlying structural deformity.
When Is Mallet Toe Surgery Recommended?
If conservative methods are unsuccessful in treating your deformity, corrective toe surgery should be considered. Surgery is typically recommended when:
- Pain persists despite non-surgical care
- The toe becomes rigid or progressively worse
- Corns or pressure points recur
- Walking or shoe wear becomes difficult
The surgical correction of your toe deformity may be performed in the office, at an outpatient surgical center, or as one-day hospital surgery, depending on the complexity of the case.
Digital / Toe Surgical Options
These procedures help to straighten the toes by cutting the bone, tendon, joints and/or ligaments. Your podiatrist will determine the most appropriate option based on the severity of your mallet toe and overall foot structure.
- TENOTOMY AND CAPSULOTOMY
The terms tenotomy and capsulotomy refer to the cutting of tendons and joint capsules. More specifically, in relation to hammertoe deformities, the tight tendons and joint capsules located on the top and bottom of the buckled or contracted toe joints are released. And once these tight, soft-tissue structures are cut and relaxed, the toe can resume its normal flattened posture. - ARTHROPLASTY
This very popular procedure involves the removal of cartilage and bone in remodeling a deformed joint. It allows for relief of the painful area. - ARTHROPLASTY WITH FIXATION FOR FUSION
This procedure involves joint removal and the use of a wire (pin) to stabilize or fuse the deformed toe. - ARTHROPLASTY WITH TENDON RELOCATION
A joint space is created and the toe is realigned by relocating the flexor tendon, which pulls the toe down. - ARTHROPLASTY WITH IMPLANTATION
Following excision of a joint, a plastic implant is placed inside to act as a functional spacer. - DEROTATION / REALIGNMENT PROCEDURE FOR OVERLAPPING TOE
A wedge of skin and a segment of bone are removed to realign the overlapping toe. - BONE SPUR REMOVAL
An incision is made and an instrument is used to file or excise the bone spur and remove the source of increased pressure. - OSTEOTOMY
A cut is made through the bone to allow it to be realigned. Wire or pin fixation could be required.
Postoperative Care and Recovery
After surgery, you will receive instructions regarding the care of your dressings, your level of activity, and weight-bearing. As with all foot surgery, rest and elevation play an important role in reducing pain and swelling.
Most patients experience gradual improvement as healing progresses, with follow-up visits scheduled to monitor alignment and recovery.
Benefits of Mallet Toe Surgery
- Relief from chronic toe pain and pressure
- Improved toe alignment and function
- Reduced corn and callus formation
- Easier shoe fitting
- Prevention of worsening deformity
Correcting a mallet toe not only improves comfort but also supports long-term foot health.
Mallet Toe Surgery in Brooklyn, Queens & Manhattan
Best Foot Doctor NY proudly provides mallet toe evaluation and surgical correction at convenient NYC-area locations:
Brooklyn – 263 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Queens – 70-15 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY
Manhattan – 55 East 72nd Street, New York, NY
Schedule a Consultation
If mallet toe pain is interfering with your daily life, expert care is available. Early treatment can help prevent progression and reduce the need for more extensive surgery.
Schedule a consultation with Best Foot Doctor NY today to learn whether conservative treatment or mallet toe surgery is right for you.